Ann Lesley Charlton

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

The Respondent, attorney under an enduring power of attorney for an elderly client (Mrs B), withdrew £41,550 by 29 cash cheques from the client's account between April 1999 and March 2000 and used the majority for her own personal benefit, dealing with the matter outside the firm's books. The total deficit was estimated at around £90,000. She admitted the facts and allegations. The Tribunal found dishonesty and conscious impropriety at the highest end of the scale, breaching the trust of a vulnerable client. Despite mitigation (serious illness, work and partnership pressures, personal problems, candour, and her current useful work), she was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £3,060.84.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Breach of trust of an elderly and vulnerable client
• Position of trust heightened by appointment as attorney
• Conscious impropriety / serious misconduct at highest end of the scale
• Dealt with the matter outside the firm's books and records
• Distress caused to Mr and Mrs P

Mitigating factors:

• Appeared in person and apologised publicly
• Did not contest the allegations; admitted facts
• Immediately volunteered the deficit when confronted and intended to repay
• Suffered from cancer and other serious illness
• Subjected to extreme pressure of work and partnership strains
• Personal and family difficulties
• Sought employment with no access to client money and limited public contact
• Worked well over 17 months in her current role putting something back into society