Solicitor Richard Hunt was later struck off after

Solicitor Richard Hunt was later struck off after he was found guilty of a series of allegations.

Tribunal chair Mrs Heather Baucher said that Hunt had been ‘deliberate’ and ‘reckless’ in misleading several clients.

Refering to other cases, including burns victim Jeni Clanford, Mrs Baucher said that ‘various parties were mislead.

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But the tribunal was not convinced Hunt had acted deliberately in his conduct of the compensation case.

Ordering Hunt’s expulsion from the Roll of Solicitors she said: ‘This case is at the most serious end of the scale, in view of the number of complaints and the period of time over which they occured.

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Mrs Baucher said there had been a ‘persistent delay’ by Hunt in dealing with client affairs.

She added: ‘This respondent has done serious damage to the profession.

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Hunt was also ordered to pay costs which will be subject to a detailed assessment.

Hunt joined the profession at the relatively late age of 41 after a career in the RAF.

As well as an office in Cromer, Norfolk, his firm also ran a branch in Sheringham.

Earlier Mrs Margaret Bromley, for the OSS, said: ‘Conduct such as Mr Hunt’s does immeasurable damage to the reputation of the profession.

‘It is a horrifying story of repeated shortcomings.

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Mark Lomas, QC, defending, said that Hunt had retired from practice after a catalogue of problems came to light.

Mr Lomas said: ‘He realised he had to get himself out of the practice and out of the hole he had dug himself into.

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ends