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Manchester barrister David Friesner jailed for theft | Manchester barrister David Friesner jailed for theft |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Manchester barrister who stole more than £70,000 from his chambers has been jailed for three years. | A Manchester barrister who stole more than £70,000 from his chambers has been jailed for three years. |
David Friesner, 46, admitted taking £72,500 from 9 St John Street Chambers in 2008, after his sideline property business fell into "financial carnage". | David Friesner, 46, admitted taking £72,500 from 9 St John Street Chambers in 2008, after his sideline property business fell into "financial carnage". |
Friesner's property business had about £4m in mortgages and up to £1m in unsecured loans | Friesner's property business had about £4m in mortgages and up to £1m in unsecured loans |
Mr Justice Singh told the criminal barrister he had "brought dishonour upon an honourable profession". | Mr Justice Singh told the criminal barrister he had "brought dishonour upon an honourable profession". |
The judge said: "You, perhaps more than anyone else, ought to have known what you were doing was both dishonest and unlawful." | The judge said: "You, perhaps more than anyone else, ought to have known what you were doing was both dishonest and unlawful." |
Friesner, of Bury New Road, Prestwich, ran into financial problems in his property business during the credit crunch. | |
'Serious criminal offence' | |
The court was told he became increasingly desperate, taking out bridging loans, some of which charged interest of 2% a week. | |
At this point he convinced the chambers' finance director to forward him a series of 12 payments, telling her they were loans, the judge heard. | At this point he convinced the chambers' finance director to forward him a series of 12 payments, telling her they were loans, the judge heard. |
Friesner, who was deputy head of 9 St John Street, had no authority to demand the cash and, the court heard, did not have any prospect of paying it back. | Friesner, who was deputy head of 9 St John Street, had no authority to demand the cash and, the court heard, did not have any prospect of paying it back. |
Last month the Bar Standards Board said it would be "revisiting its timelines for urgent suspensions" after it emerged Friesner had been in court representing a client after his guilty plea to the theft charges. | |
The board said that Friesner's client and solicitor had been "made aware of the barrister's situation" when he represented them. | |
Malcolm Taylor, special casework lawyer for the Crown Prosecution service said: "It is a matter of considerable regret that a man of such professional standing should have chosen to commit the serious criminal offence for which he has been sentenced today. | |
"His professional life is now ruined as a result of his own actions and this case sends out a very clear message that no one is above the law." |
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