Isle of Wight solicitor Tim Joyner has been found guilty of two counts of fraud by abuse of position, the CP reports. No further details of what the actual misdemeanours were reported.
He was sentenced to 28 months at Portsmouth Crown Court last Friday (25th January, 2013).
Eldridges took swift action
Tim was working at well-known Island solicitors Eldridges at the time of the offence. In a statement issued to OnTheWight (in full below), the Partners of the firm said they “would like to make it clear that Mr Joyner’s behaviour was reported to the police and Solicitors’ Regulation Authority as soon as it was discovered and the firm has co-operated fully in the resulting investigations.”
Timothy Joyner joined the firm in 2003 and dealt with general civil litigation including personal injury, licensing and employment problems from the Newport branch. In July 2011 he took over the firm’s Family Law Department following the retirement of Yvonne Taylor.
Involved in the Island’s law scene
Tim was a committee member of the IW Law Society and represented them as a board member for the Isle of Wight Citizen Advice Bureau.
The CP reports that a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will be help on 7 June.
The Partners of Eldridges regret the circumstances which have led to the dismissal and subsequent conviction of Timothy Joyner. As soon as the firm became aware of potential wrongdoing by Mr Joyner it suspended him so that a thorough investigation could take place and so that there could be no risk of Mr Joyner having any access to client matters or money. Mr Joyner refused to cooperate with this investigation or to attend a subsequent disciplinary hearing and was therefore dismissed.
Throughout this process the firm took advice from an independent firm of solicitors and from the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority.
The Partners would like to make it clear that Mr Joyner’s behaviour was reported to the police and Solicitors’ Regulation Authority as soon as it was discovered and the firm has co-operated fully in the resulting investigations.
The Partners are satisfied that Mr Joyner acted alone and would like to reassure clients that they can still have full confidence in the firm. No clients suffered any loss.
The Firm remains committed to its traditional values of integrity, good advice and excellent service.
Image: mikecogh under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license
