Charles Obinna Odiachi Spiropoulos

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

The Second Respondent, a solicitor, was convicted on 3 February 2012 of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation involving a property fraud targeting vulnerable owners, and sentenced to imprisonment (initially reduced to two years nine months). The SDT found the conviction proved and expressly found dishonesty proved under the Twinsectra test. With no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £3,410. His subsequent High Court appeal against the costs order was discontinued and dismissed with costs.

Duties found breached:

• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal conviction for conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation
• Grave breach of trust as an admitted solicitor
• Fraud involving vulnerable victims (elderly, infirm, bereaved)
• Role crucial in presenting a respectable front for the conveyancing fraud

Mitigating factors:

• Previous good character and positive character references
• Offences out of character
• Personal and compassionate circumstances (family member unwell)