Dromara solicitor is facing theft charges

David Annett (38), Church Road, Dromara, appeared last Wednesday at a preliminary enquiry at Craigavon courthouse.

The first charge against him alleges that between November 27, 2007, and August 29, 2012, he fraudulently made a false representation to the First Trust Bank that someone was acting as a conveyance solicitor in the re-mortgage of his Church Road property whereas he was acting as the conveyancing solicitor.

Annett is also charged that between February 10, 2008, and February 16, 2008, he stole a ‘chose in action’ namely credit in the client’s account of JP Hagan Solicitors, First Trust bank account, amounting to £230,000 or thereabouts.

The third charges accuses him that between September 14, 2010, and August 29, 2012, he stole cash, amounting to £17,380 or thereabouts, belonging to another that was held in the office of JP Hagan Solicitors.

As well he is charged that on March 11, 2008, he transferred criminal property, namely credit in a First Trust Bank account, in the amount of £112,146.22, to a law firm contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Annett was remanded on his own bail of £900 to appear for arraignment at Craigavon Crown Court on March 11.