Lee Sowden

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

Lee Sowden, a barrister, was convicted after trial at Leicester Crown Court on 1 November 2018 of six counts of making indecent photographs of children and one count of failing to comply with a notice under s.49 of RIPA 2000, receiving 12 months imprisonment and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He also failed to report promptly to the BSB both his charge and his conviction. A five-person Disciplinary Tribunal, proceeding in his absence (with his consent), found all four charges proven. He was disbarred on Charges 1 and 2, with no separate penalty on Charges 3 and 4. The tribunal noted the RIPA conviction undermines integrity and honesty and that the conduct seriously diminishes public confidence in the profession, but made no express finding of dishonesty.

Aggravating factors:

• Convicted of serious sexual offences (making indecent photographs of children)
• Sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and a 10 year sexual harm prevention order
• Failed to comply with a s.49 RIPA notice
• Failed to report charge and conviction to the BSB