Past disciplinary findings

Mr Stapleford, an unregistered barrister, on dates unknown before 5 August 2016, engaged in conduct which is dishonest or otherwise discreditable to a barrister; prejudicial to the administration of justice; and/or likely to diminish public confidence in the legal profession or the administration of justice or otherwise bring the legal profession into disrepute by:

1. Fraudulently transferring approximately £11,000 from his grandmother, Mrs X’s bank account to his account.

2. Fraudulently using a Barclaycard without Mrs X’s permission.

3. The fraudulent using of a NatWest bank account held in Mrs X’s name without her permission.

4. The fraudulent using of Mrs X’s bank card to withdraw £4,240 in cash.

5. The fraudulent using of Mrs X’s bank account card to pay for goods and services by way of on-line purchases.

For which conduct, on 5 August 2016, Mr Stapleford was convicted by Chichester Crown of five counts of Fraud, contrary to section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006 and sentenced by the judge to 4 years’ imprisonment on each count to be served concurrently and ordered to pay £8,000 in compensation.