Jeffrey Gaham Cunliffe

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

Benjamin Jason Cornelius, a solicitor admitted in 1999, was convicted at Cardiff Crown Court on 14 March 2011 of doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice, for which he received an eight-month custodial sentence. He had sold a motor vehicle in breach of a Proceeds of Crime Act restraint order and placed the proceeds (£89,200) with a friend. Other convictions had been quashed on appeal, and the SRA proceeded only on this remaining conviction. The Tribunal found allegation 1 proved beyond reasonable doubt, accepting the offence involved an element of dishonesty. The Respondent did not attend (his absence excused on health grounds). Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £2,624.74.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Conviction for serious common law offence triable only on indictment
• As an officer of the court, displayed aggravated contempt by breaching a court restraint order
• Placed assets (proceeds of £89,200 from sale of a vehicle) outside reach of a potential confiscation order for the benefit of victims of crime

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters
• Pleaded guilty and admitted the charge
• Current health issues
• Family circumstances and significant debt
• Apologised for his conduct