Y A Mohammed and R G Pickles

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

Two Blackburn solicitors, partners at Yasin & Co, faced allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor. The First Respondent (Mohammed) breached practising certificate conditions by acting as sole cheque signatory, improperly paid client cheques into client account, misled the OSS investigator, and was convicted of conspiracy to handle stolen goods (18 months imprisonment). The Second Respondent (Pickles) pre-signed blank cheques and failed to supervise, and was convicted of making an untrue statement to procure a passport (12 months imprisonment). The Tribunal found the allegations substantiated (Pickles admitted; Mohammed proved on unchallenged documents) and struck both off the Roll, ordering them jointly and severally liable for costs of £7,018.86. An express finding of dishonesty applied to Mohammed's conviction.

Duties found breached:

• Prosecutorial duty of disclosure
• No improper use of client money
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Self-report to the regulator

Aggravating factors:

• First Respondent convicted of dishonesty offence and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment
• Second Respondent convicted and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment
• Inadequate supervision; Second Respondent absent and pre-signed blank cheques allowing First Respondent control of accounts
• Second Respondent had a previous appearance before the Tribunal in 1989 (fine of £750)

Mitigating factors:

• Second Respondent admitted allegations from an early stage and waived formalities/time limits
• Second Respondent's previous appearance was long ago and involved no dishonesty