Gordon Albert Clive Richards

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

Richards, admitted 1973 and employed as an assistant solicitor, pleaded guilty in April 1993 to four counts of theft and two of obtaining property by deception, and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment (concurrent) plus £320.99 compensation. The thefts involved taking three cheques and a Giro relating to monies due to estate beneficiaries; the deception offences involved drawing cheques on a knowingly closed account to pay for food and wine. The Tribunal found the allegation substantiated (uncontested) and, citing its duty to protect the public and the reputation of the profession, ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £794. The respondent had earlier (1993) been suspended for two years for practising without a certificate and failing to reply to the SCB.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Convicted of multiple offences of dishonesty (theft and obtaining property by deception)
• Theft involved monies due to estate beneficiaries
• Prior 1993 suspension for practising without a certificate and failing to reply to the SCB

Mitigating factors:

• Served a prison sentence (nine weeks) - had paid a heavy price
• Was under extreme pressure of work (over 65-hour weeks, no holiday leave)
• Depressed and in a deflated state at the material time
• Voluntary community work tutoring disadvantaged adults and assisting sporting bodies
• Testimonials and community support
• Parlous financial situation on State Benefit