At Southwark Crown Court today, Kevin James Steele, a former partner of the solicitors' firm Mishcon de Reya (MDR) was convicted of forgery and two fraud offences. Two other defendants pleaded guilty before trial. They are all to be sentenced on 9th January 2012.
Defendants
a) Kevin James Christopher Steele (d.o.b 09/06/60) of Kent
b) Michael Andrew Shephard (d.o.b 29/01/61) of Lancashire
c) Mark Terence Pattinson (d.o.b 08/11/73) of Lancashire
Commenting on the result SFO Director Richard Alderman said, "I welcome today's verdict. It's a victory for honesty and fair dealing in business."
Investigation and proceedings
This case was accepted by the Serious Fraud Office for investigation in November 2008 and was conducted in partnership with Warwickshire Police. Steele was convicted by the jury on all three counts on the indictment. In advance of the trial, Shephard and Pattinson pleaded guilty to counts one and two on the indictment.
