Janet Lefton

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

Janet Lefton, admitted 1982 and not practising since 1990/91 but still on the Roll, was convicted at Cardiff Crown Court of perverting the course of public justice and perjury after writing a letter to the police containing deliberate lies on behalf of her son regarding a speeding notice, and giving perjured evidence on oath in the Magistrates Court. She was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, reduced to six weeks on appeal. She admitted both allegations, accepted there was no mitigation available, and did not appear. The Tribunal found both allegations substantiated, deemed the conduct extremely serious and damaging to the profession's reputation, and struck her off the Roll with costs of £1,555.12 inclusive of VAT.

Duties found breached:

• Prosecutorial fairness and impartiality
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal convictions involving deliberate lies and perjured evidence on oath
• Conduct brought the profession into great disrepute

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters against the Respondent
• Expressed regret and apologised for damage to the profession's reputation
• Admitted both allegations