A greedy solicitor who thought he was ‘super-human

A greedy solicitor who thought he was ‘super-human’ wept today (THURS) as he was struck off over an inheritance scandal.

Jonathan Holyhead, 36, was given nearly pnds stlg 85,000 from the wills of two generous clients.

But he transferred a further pnds stlg 4,000 into his own bank account without telling his partners.

And he was thrown out of the legal profession today after being told: ‘This was professional suicide.

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The Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal in central London heard how Holyhead was a partner at Bond Pearce in Westhoe Road, Plymouth, when the problems were uncovered in February last year.

A Law Society investigator called at the firm’s offices in Ballard House, and a probe revealed there had been a shortfall in client accounts of around pnds stlg 3,983.

Jon Goodwin, for the Law Society, said: ‘This arose as a result of the misuse of clients’ funds on the part of Mr Holyhead.

‘It was discovered that what had happened was money had been taken from client accounts and put into his personal bank account.

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The tribunal heard that the scandal revolved around Holyhead’s handling of two late clients’ wills.

In the first, it was the female customer’s wish that any outstanding cash should be split between her nephew and the solicitor.

Holyhead, form Sandy, Beds, was also entitled to take his admin costs from the estate.

When the business was tidied up, there was around pnds stlg 132,000 left over – which meant the two men received more than pnds stlg 62,000 each.

Holyhead then drew up costs of pnds stlg 2,467, but paid the money into his own bank in eight instalments, instead of Bond Pearce’s.

But even the charge itself was against the rules – because he never filed any bills.

Mr Goodwin added: ‘In the absence of bills, those transfers were improper.

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The second case involved the will of another client, who said the money left over should be given to Holyhead and four other people.

This time, there was no instruction to take legal costs from it.

Holyhead and the other four benefactors inherited pnds stlg 22,500 each – but the solicitor then charged more than pnds stlg 2,500 costs, around pnds stlg 1,500 of which went to his own bank.

Having realised his errors, Holyhead repaid the money in December 1998 and January 1999 – but was caught out by the Law Society a month later.

When asked to explain, he wrote: ‘In each case, to my shame, I paid fees into my own personal account rather than transferring them to the office account for the benefit of the firm.

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And in another letter, he said: ‘I had said the payments were made as a mistake, but I don’t think that is right.

‘I think the uncomfortable truth is I was keeping the money from my partners.

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Mr Goodwin told the tribunal: ‘At the very least, Mr Holyhead has deprived his partners of money that was due to them.

‘It could be said he attempted to conceal his activities in the first case.

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Father-of-one Holyhead said the errors came about because he was overworked at the firm, and was so busy that he only took two days off following surgery to a lump in his neck.

He told the hearing: ‘How stupid was that? I never allowed myself the luxury of a day’s illness.

Superman never got the flu, and neither would I.

‘I thought I was indispensable and indestructible, but this superhuman realised he was sadly only human after all.

‘Whatever the outcome today, I am proud of how good a solicitor I was, and nothing can take that away from me.

‘I am not boasting when I say I think I will be a loss to the profession.

‘At the time, I wasn’t consciously aware I was doing anything wrong.

‘I am extremely sorry for what I have done.

I have lost a hugely successful and financially rewarding career.

‘I am acutely aware that I have crossed the line that no solicitor should transgress.

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Holyhead, of Merlin Drive, Sandy, Beds, admitted drawing money from clients other than permitted, and using funds for costs with no justification.

He denied using client funds for his own purposes and misappropriating clients funds, but the committee upheld all four charges.

Holyhead’s wife bowed her head as chairman Anthony Isaacs told the solicitor: ‘This is a very sad case.

‘However, we are constrained by what we should do in a case like this.

This is regarded as professional suicide.

‘I hope you will be able to regard this as a cathartic event, put it behind you, pick up the pieces, and start your life again.

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Holyhead, who was also ordered to pay costs to be agreed, left the hearing in tears.

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