Lawyer jailed over theft from client

Timothy Chapman made more than 30 unauthorised withdrawals from the account of friend and long-time client Brian Turton after being given power of attorney over his financial affairs when he and his wife went to live in Switzerland in 1990.

Chapman, 55, who previously lived at Raikes Wood Drive, Skipton, had an agreement with Mr Turton for a loan of 60,000, but between January 2001 and December 2006 he withdrew a further 217,677 from his client's account.

Judge John Potter said the money had been used to prop up Chapman's solicitor practice which was in difficulty because of his poor financial management.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that Mr Turton became suspicious towards the end of 2006 when Chapman failed to send him a statement of account and in December of that year the defendant sent him a letter in which he admitted taking the additional money.

Although Chapman hoped to repay the cash he suffered mental health problems and shut down his legal practice in February 2008.

Prosecutor Emma Downing said Chapman reported his own conduct to the Solicitors Regulatory Authority and was eventually struck off.

She said as part of the original loan agreement Mr Turton had an interest in the Skipton property which Chapman purchased and the subsequent sale of that house had resulted in a repayment of about 190,000 to the complainant.

Chapman, from Farmhill, Keighley, who admitted theft, was arrested in November 2008 and made full admissions to stealing the cash.

He was also declared bankrupt.