Danielle De Carpentier

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

Danielle De Carpentier, a solicitor at Clayton Mott, was found to have abused her position while acting under a Lasting Power of Attorney for Client A (a vulnerable victim), misappropriating £7,850 through 39 ATM cash withdrawals between 1 August 2015 and 28 June 2019. She was convicted of fraud by abuse of position on 3 December 2021 and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. She admitted the allegation and admitted dishonesty. The matter was dealt with on the papers by agreed outcome. The Tribunal found no exceptional circumstances and ordered her struck off the Roll. No costs were ordered, based on her Statement of Means.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No taking unfair advantage

Aggravating factors:

• Commission of a criminal offence
• Misconduct sustained over an extended period (nearly four years)
• Gross breach of trust
• Vulnerable victim unable to monitor her own finances
• Conduct benefitted the Respondent to the detriment of Client A
• Sentenced to a term of imprisonment
• Initially denied the conduct and attempted to divert attention onto others

Mitigating factors:

• Expressed shame and remorse / sincere apology
• Repaid the money in full
• Served her sentence
• Attempted to resign from the Roll some years earlier
• Severe psychiatric problems and mental health difficulties; diagnosed unfit for work
• Overcame severe dyslexia and personal difficulties to qualify