Coroner 'stole from clients'

Jeremy Cave denies ten charges of theft

A North Yorkshire lawyer stole more than £185,000 from the estates of clients at his legal practice, a court heard today.

Jeremy Cave, 53, of The Grange, Balk, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, denies ten counts of theft from the beneficiaries of dead clients between 1990 and 2000.

Teesside Crown Court was told how Mr Cave, who is also the North Yorkshire Coroner, ran the solicitor's practice in Thirsk and was guilty of a breach of trust.

Andrew Wheeler, prosecuting, said Mr Cave deliberately "grossly overcharged" clients, asking for up to four times more than a reasonable fee.

Complaints about bills

A representative from the Law Society, which regulates the legal profession, visited the practice in April 2000 after the organisation received complaints about bills.

An expert checked a random sample of files and discovered "gross and unexplainable overcharging," the prosecution allege.

The Law Society closed the practice, where Mr Cave was sole practitioner, in July 2000, and the police investigation began.

The trial continues.