ByAshleigh Mcdonald
A Northern Ireland solicitor, Michael John Glover, has been sentenced for defrauding clients out of £120,000 to cover personal bills. The Belfast Crown Court imposed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after Glover pleaded guilty to 29 counts of fraud and one count of forgery.
During an inspection in February 2015, a compliance officer from the Law Society NI identified suspicious transactions within Glover’s law firm, Glover & King. The investigation revealed that Glover had forged documents, including a letter related to a £50,000 inheritance, to misappropriate client funds.
The compliance officer’s findings prompted a deeper investigation, which uncovered fraud involving 11 clients over a four to five year period, amounting to £120,334. Despite Glover’s claims that his actions were not dishonest, the evidence against him was substantial.
The court learned that Glover’s wife, who now runs the law firm, had repaid the clients and covered costs related to the Law Society’s investigation. Glover’s defense argued that the financial strain he faced during that time, coupled with pressures at work, contributed to his actions.
Judge Gordon Kerr KC acknowledged Glover’s previous good character but emphasized the serious nature of the offenses. Glover has since requested to be removed from the solicitor rolls, effectively ending his legal career.