Charles Wesley Aboagye

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

The Respondent, admitted in 1991 and practising as Charles Wesley & Co, was the subject of an OSS application. Law Society investigations found he failed to keep proper accounts, improperly drew on client account, failed to produce books, and misappropriated clients' funds (some £274,381.70 of items identified). A note in his desk listed plans to cash funds, transfer 'the big one', book a plane ticket and disappear. On 23 October 2000 a telegraphic transfer of £495,000 was made out of client account and converted to US dollars; the funds were recovered through bank vigilance. He was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on 7 September 2001 of theft of £495,000 and sentenced to three years' imprisonment. He admitted allegations (a)-(f) and the dishonest acts underlying the conviction. The Tribunal refused his adjournment request, found all allegations substantiated, found dishonesty, and ordered him struck off plus costs.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Theft of £495,000 from client account
• Criminal conviction and three-year prison sentence
• Premeditation evidenced by handwritten note planning to transfer funds, ready a story and disappear
• Damaged reputation of the profession and undermined public confidence
• Lack of co-operation/delay in responding to proceedings