Robert David Norman Lowe

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

Respondent solicitor, a former partner admitted in 1981, was convicted at Bournemouth Crown Court on a guilty plea of being knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importing indecent/obscene material (paedophile nature) and sentenced to seven months' imprisonment. Police had seized large quantities of paedophile videos, magazines and photographs. The Tribunal found the allegations of conduct unbefitting substantiated, noting the conviction brought him and the profession into disrepute. Despite sympathy arising from a psychiatric report rooted in his childhood, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £943.06. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Handle inadvertently received material
• AML and crime-prevention compliance
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Serious criminal offence resulting in imprisonment
• Offence in an area attracting significant public dissatisfaction

Mitigating factors:

• Guilty plea and full co-operation with authorities
• Material had not been disseminated in any way in the UK
• Psychiatric report indicating problems rooted in unfortunate childhood
• Expressed deep regret and pride in the profession
• Served clients and former firm well during his years in practice
• Consented to the hearing proceeding and to removal from the Roll