Andrew Eastham

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

Andrew Eastham, a solicitor on the Roll but not holding a practising certificate, was executor of Client A's estate. Between August 2014 and August 2015 he fraudulently misappropriated approximately £274,462.63 from the estate, transferring funds to his personal account and to his former wife and spending on an excessive lifestyle, paying only £7,500 to the rightful beneficiary. He pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment. The Tribunal, on an agreed outcome, found dishonesty proven (admitted) and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £2,355.

Duties found breached:

• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty committed over a sustained period
• Abuse of position as executor obtained through status as solicitor
• Significant financial benefit to himself and former wife
• Serious detriment to the beneficiary who lost nearly the entire estate
• Criminal conviction for fraud by abuse of position resulting in 32 months imprisonment