Julie Ann Fletcher

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Julie Ann Fletcher, a non-solicitor employed as a legal secretary and later conveyancing assistant at O'Neill Morgan solicitors, was cautioned by Greater Manchester Police on 29 October 2007 for theft by employee. Between 1 November 2006 and 13 July 2007 she used a company cheque book and dishonestly completed payment slips on client accounts to issue cheques for her own benefit, stealing a total of £6,084.26. She admitted the allegation. The Tribunal found the allegation substantiated and that she had behaved dishonestly, and made a Section 43 order. Costs were summarily fixed at £1,771.70 (reduced from the £2,771.70 sought, as some costs related to investigations at the employer's firm).

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No acting against a former client

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest misappropriation of client monies
• Theft committed over an extended period (1 November 2006 to 13 July 2007)
• Subject to a police caution for theft by employee

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the allegation in the Tribunal questionnaire