Tracey Starenczak

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

Tracey Starenczak, a non-solicitor employed as cashier/book-keeper at Smallpiece & Merriman since 1980, misused clients' funds totalling £177,231.93. She pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court to four thefts, procuring execution of a valuable security by deception, two false accounting offences and making a false instrument, and was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment. The Tribunal found the allegation substantiated and made a Section 43(2) order restricting her employment within the solicitors' profession, plus costs of £815.07.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Misuse of clients' funds totalling £177,231.93
• Most serious breach of the trust vested in her by her employers
• Given free rein over client account including the client account cheque book
• Guilty of forgery
• Sentenced to 30 months imprisonment