Theft-guilt barrister dons his wig again

Lawyer David Friesner, 46, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on January 12 to admit stealing the cash from his own chambers.

The judge told him he was likely to face jail when he was sentenced on February 10 before granting bail. But Friesner was back in court over a fortnight later to represent Jack Henry at Bradford Crown Court.

Henry, 45, of Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, was the boss of Council Tax Review, which charged customers up to £155 in return for council tax reductions that often failed to materialise. He admitted 14 consumer offences.

It has since emerged Henry’s case had to be delayed while Friesner – whose offences took place at 9 St John Street Chambers in Manchester in 2008 and 2009 – appeared as a defendant at Leeds.

Leeds North West Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland said: “I was astonished when I found that a barrister had been allowed to carry on defending people having been convicted of a serious criminal offence. This is a ridiculous loophole that must be closed.”

The Bar Standards Board has delayed commencing disciplinary procedures against Friesner until his case has been concluded, which a spokesman said was “standard procedure”.

Henry was given a suspended nine-month sentence and 150 hours of community work and told to pay nearly £13,000 in costs and refunds. Friesner said Henry was trying to help people cut bills, but agreed his methods were flawed.