Andrew James Watkins

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

Colin Harrison, a senior partner and solicitor admitted in 1976, was convicted on 20 April 2011 of perverting the course of justice after creating a back-dated fax purporting to instruct letting agents to check property utilities, following the death of a tenant found dead (suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, later confirmed natural causes). He received a 6-month suspended sentence, 200 hours community work, and a £1,000 fine. He admitted the disciplinary allegation. Dishonesty was expressly NOT alleged. Despite strong mitigation, exemplary character, and community support, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll to preserve public confidence in the profession, and ordered costs of £2,993.48.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Commission of a criminal offence (perverting the course of justice)
• Being a solicitor expected to behave by the highest professional standards
• Created a false, back-dated document intended to deceive investigators
• Deliberately sought to mislead the police

Mitigating factors:

• Dishonesty not alleged
• Conduct was not premeditated or repeated
• Self-reported conviction to the SRA
• Aberration/moment of madness of brief duration
• Previous exemplary character over 48-year career
• Extensive charitable work and strong community standing
• Accepted responsibility and made admissions
• No actual harm caused to any individual