Charles Lewis Huw Owen-Evans

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

The Respondent, admitted 1995, was convicted at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in September 2002 on seven counts of deception-related offences and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. At least one offence related to his solicitor's practice, where he falsely told clients money was needed for fees or court funds and pocketed it. The Tribunal found the allegations substantiated, found convictions of dishonesty, and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £715.25.

Duties found breached:

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

Aggravating factors:

• At least one offence related to his practice as a solicitor - falsely represented to clients that money was required for fees or court funds and pocketed it
• Abuse of trust of victims who knew and trusted him
• Serious offences at upper end of the scale
• Custodial sentence of 2 years imprisonment