Simon Christoper Jackson

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

The respondent, a sole practitioner solicitor, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to four specimen offences of indecent assault on female children whom he was teaching to play the oboe, and was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment. The Tribunal found the allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated (uncontested). Although the offences were unconnected with his practice and not the most serious type of abuse, the abuse of a position of trust by a member of the profession brought it into considerable disrepute. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £778.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No unlawful discrimination or harassment

Aggravating factors:

• Offences committed over a period running into years
• Repetitive and deliberate conduct for sexual gratification
• Abuse of a position of great trust as a teacher of children
• Knew the conduct was wrong and that children would find it hard to complain

Mitigating factors:

• Pleaded guilty at the first opportunity / admitted the allegations
• Voluntarily ceased teaching and offending some years before conviction
• Books of account found to be in order; no professional misconduct in practice
• Arranged for another firm to take over his practice to minimise impact on clients
• Good character evidence and testimonial letters
• Commenced and progressed in a sex offender treatment programme
• Offences not connected with his position as a solicitor; not the most serious type of abuse