Rhodri Vaughan Davies

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

The Respondent, admitted in 1976, was convicted at Mold Crown Court on three counts of theft and one count of obtaining a money transfer by deception, committed in the course of his practice and relating to the estates of two elderly sisters. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment (concurrent) and ordered to pay £30,000 compensation. The Compensation Fund paid some £22,000 for the thefts. The Tribunal found the (uncontested) allegation substantiated, regarded the convictions as misconduct of the most serious kind, and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £1,063.56.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Abused the trust of two elderly and vulnerable ladies
• Offences committed with cunning and great care
• Offences undermine public confidence in the legal profession
• Abused responsibilities as executor

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent paid £30,000 compensation as ordered