Gareth Richard Arnold

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

The Respondent, a solicitor, was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of 5 counts of fraud and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for stealing over £200,000, including from a vulnerable Court of Protection client. The Tribunal found the convictions breached Principles 2 and 6, and expressly found the offences were of dishonesty. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £1860.32.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Gross breach of trust as solicitor and Court of Protection deputy
• Exploitation of a particularly vulnerable client (Mr McC)
• Substantial sums stolen (over £200,000)
• Two clients defrauded
• Conduct at higher end of spectrum of improper conduct

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted allegations and accepted he should be struck off
• Expressed genuine remorse
• No previous disciplinary findings