Another week, another pair of solicitors banged up for stealing money
from clients. And two new cards for RollOnFriday Dodgy Solicitor Top
Trumps.
Kenneth Hunt and Barbara Gayton were jailed late last month for stealing over £1 million from their clients. The pair were partners at Hunt Kidd, a small property and employment firm in Newcastle. The firm was closed down after investigation by the SRA for financial irregularities nearly three years ago.
The firm had previously blossomed, supporting Hunt's lifestyle of fine wine and expensive holidays. But the downturn hit its practice hard, halving turnover. Lenders called in a £150,000 loan, and cut back hard on the firm's overdraft. In a last desperate attempt to keep the shop afloat, the two partners started transferring cash from client accounts into the firm's. Which, in case you needed reminding, runs contrary to section 1.2(a) of the SRA accounts rules. And is also theft.
The pair were arrested at the end of 2009, charged with fraud by abuse of position and finally faced Judge Guy Whitburn at Newcastle Crown Court at the end of May. Whilst it was accepted that neither of the partners had taken the cash to line their own pockets (well, not directly), Hunt's "pride and vanity" had led to repeat transfers of other peoples' cash into the firm's coffers. Hunt got four years inside, and Gayton two.
The sentences result in some re-shuffling in the RollOnFriday Dodgy Solicitor Top Trumps. Hunt flies straight in to fifth place, pushing HogLove's Christopher Grierson down a place into almost mid-table respectability.
If you've spotted a Dodgy Solicitor who deserves to go into the pack, please send in the details.
Tip Off ROF
Kenneth Hunt and Barbara Gayton were jailed late last month for stealing over £1 million from their clients. The pair were partners at Hunt Kidd, a small property and employment firm in Newcastle. The firm was closed down after investigation by the SRA for financial irregularities nearly three years ago.
The firm had previously blossomed, supporting Hunt's lifestyle of fine wine and expensive holidays. But the downturn hit its practice hard, halving turnover. Lenders called in a £150,000 loan, and cut back hard on the firm's overdraft. In a last desperate attempt to keep the shop afloat, the two partners started transferring cash from client accounts into the firm's. Which, in case you needed reminding, runs contrary to section 1.2(a) of the SRA accounts rules. And is also theft.
The pair were arrested at the end of 2009, charged with fraud by abuse of position and finally faced Judge Guy Whitburn at Newcastle Crown Court at the end of May. Whilst it was accepted that neither of the partners had taken the cash to line their own pockets (well, not directly), Hunt's "pride and vanity" had led to repeat transfers of other peoples' cash into the firm's coffers. Hunt got four years inside, and Gayton two.
The sentences result in some re-shuffling in the RollOnFriday Dodgy Solicitor Top Trumps. Hunt flies straight in to fifth place, pushing HogLove's Christopher Grierson down a place into almost mid-table respectability.
Name |
Jurisdiction |
Sentence |
---|---|---|
Matthew Kluger, ex Skadden |
USA | 12 years |
Martin Weisberg, ex Bakers |
USA | expected 8 years |
Kevin Steele, ex Mishcon |
England | 5 1/2 years |
Louise Martini, ex Williamson & Soden |
England | 5 years |
Kenneth Hunt, ex Hunt Kidd |
England | 4 years |
Christopher Grierson, ex Lovells |
England | 3 years |
Barbara Gayton, ex Hunt Kidd |
England | 2 years |
Emma Rowsell, ex CC |
England | 18 months |
Richard Simkin, ex Fulbright |
England | 16 months |
Judie Groom, ex CC |
England | 15 months |
Partner who ran a red light, Hogan Lovells |
Dubai | 20 days |
Pissed trainee, Freshfields |
Dubai | 2 days |
If you've spotted a Dodgy Solicitor who deserves to go into the pack, please send in the details.
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Aberystwyth and Middlesex unis have campuses in Mauritius?
And sufficient people high up at both institutions thought this was a great idea, for (one assumes) reasons other than being able to cadge a cheap, expenses paid holiday out of it?
W.T.A.F?
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