Peter Harry Perrey

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

Peter Harry Perrey, a solicitor admitted in 1957, was found to have stolen £329,750 from 'The Tree Settlements' trusts over more than five years to fund his practice and buy a car, and to have committed false accounting concerning a £295,000 bridging loan to himself. He was convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court and sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment. The Tribunal made express findings of dishonesty and also proved multiple Solicitors Accounts Rules and Code of Conduct breaches, including retaining office monies in client account, permitting unadmitted staff to withdraw client funds, and abandoning his practice. He was struck off the Roll. Costs of £14,006.52 were claimed and considered reasonable, but no costs order was made given the Respondent's age (79), imprisonment, and inability to pay in light of a confiscation order exceeding realisable assets.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper communication with the court
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Theft of £329,750 from trusts over a period of more than 5 years in 18 transactions
• Dishonesty involving breach of a high level of trust over a long period
• False accounting to conceal £295,000 bridging loan to himself
• Criminal conviction and 20-month concurrent prison sentences

Mitigating factors:

• Full and early admissions to all allegations
• Previous good character with references reflecting high regard
• Significant personal pressures (death of first wife, terminal illness of second wife, third wife's serious medical condition)
• Funds largely used to keep office running and pay staff rather than a lavish lifestyle
• Waived right to attend to save costs