Ex Burnley solicitor admits theft

Kimberley Bridge (42), of Cumbrian Way, Burnley, pleaded guilty to theft of credit balances, false accounting and three counts of making an article for use in fraud, while working at the former SFN Solicitors in Red Lion Street.

The Crown Prosecution Service says the theft amounts to more than £1m., an amount disputed by Bridge’s defence.

The charges relate to a period from May 2006 to October 2012.

Bridge’s sister, Nicola Roach (34), of Bramley Avenue, Burnley, admitted the theft of credit balances of £141,741 when she appeared at Preston Crown Court.

The Burnley Express revealed in July that Bridge, a former partner at SFN, had been struck off by the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal for breaching 19 regulations, including nine dishonesty offences.

SFN Solicitors was wound up by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority in October, 2012. Its files were handed over to another law firm.

The SRA tribunal also considered SFN Solicitors’ other partners, John Charles McNabb and Tracy Stansfield. They were respectively fined £2,000 and reprimanded.

Bridge and Roach will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on April 7th.