Michael Lloyd Wilson

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

The Respondent, a solicitor and director of Global Wine Investments Limited, was convicted on indictment of possessing/acquiring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment plus a 7-year directors' disqualification. Investors paid for vintage wines but received nothing, with losses of approximately £100,000. He admitted breaches of Principles 1, 2 and 6. The Tribunal found a lack of integrity (not express dishonesty) and, given the seriousness of the conviction involving money laundering and a custodial sentence, ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £3,397.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Serious criminal offence resulting in a custodial sentence of 3 years
• Repeatedly used members of the public's money over a period to fund other businesses
• Took advantage of members of the public including elderly people
• Ought reasonably to have known conduct breached obligations to protect public and reputation of profession
• High culpability money laundering case

Mitigating factors:

• Long previously unblemished record (13 years practising with no issues)
• Early admissions
• Genuine remorse and insight
• Spoke candidly before the Tribunal
• Time in prison had a profound effect and he had matured
• Unlikely to repeat conduct