Angela Ruth Brookwell

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

The Respondent, a solicitor, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court on 3 November 2009 of harbouring an escaped prisoner and possessing a Class A controlled drug (heroin) with intent to supply, receiving a total sentence of 33 months imprisonment. The Tribunal found she had breached Rule 1.06 of the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007, bringing herself and the profession into disrepute. Her request for an adjournment pending an IPCC investigation was refused. The Tribunal ordered she be struck off the Roll and pay costs of £1,551.30.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Convicted of two serious offences: harbouring an escaped prisoner and possessing Class A drug (heroin) with intent to supply
• Sentenced to 33 months imprisonment
• Adverse publicity to the profession
• Should have been aware of the effects of heroin on society from her work as a solicitor

Mitigating factors:

• Positively good character prior to the events
• Unhappy personal life before the events
• Guilty pleas in criminal proceedings
• Manipulated by a client with a substantial criminal record
• No direct reward received