Local solicitor jailed for theft and fraud

Ian Benbow

Ian Benbow, formerly a solicitor at Molesworths Bright Clegg, Rochdale has been found guilty of 'fraud by abuse of position' and 'theft by an employee' at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester and sentenced to two years in prison.

Peter Rhodes, Senior Partner at Molesworths Bright Clegg, said: "This is a very sad case. 

"Mr Benbow was a trusted young employee with a promising career ahead of him, and the partners of Molesworths Bright Clegg were deeply shocked when his deceitful and dishonest behaviour came to light around 15 months ago. We immediately suspended Mr Benbow and reported him to the relevant authorities. We apologised to all concerned and all losses were made good.

"Mr Benbow's conduct was clearly unacceptable but we must not forget that Molesworths Bright Clegg have served Rochdale well for over 150 years. We are fervently pro-Rochdale and are actively involved in the local business community on a number of levels. We have provided a consistently high level of help and support to many thousands of satisfied clients and we will continue to do this in the future."

Benbow joined Molesworths in 2004 as a trainee solicitor, having gained a 2:1 Hons Law Degree at Liverpool University and completed the Legal Practice Course at Manchester Metropolitan University. After placements in the Commercial, Employment & Trust and Probate Departments, he chose to specialise in Civil Litigation and qualified as a solicitor in 2007.