STALKER SOLICITOR IN HORWICH LEASEHOLD PROBE RESTRICTED
A solicitor at the centre of an investigation into “serious allegations” raised by leaseholders has been restricted after being convicted of stalking.Andrew Milne, 63, is currently under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the SRA, over allegations understood to centre around his purchase of freeholds in Horwich.
Earlier this month Milne was found guilty in a separate case of stalking, and the SRA have now announced they are imposing restrictions on his ability to practice as a solicitor.
Cllr David Grant, of Horwich South and Blackrod, said: “From my point of view, I’m glad that he’s had his ability to practice restricted.” He added: “In the long run what I’d like to see and what residents would like to see would be for him to be struck off.” The investigation is understood to centre around freeholds in Horwich and elsewhere (Image: Matt Simmonds).
Since then, he has raised concerns at town hall and in February last year passed a bundle of evidence to the SRA.
Bolton West MP Phil Brickell has also raised concerns about Milne and has met with affected leaseholders in Horwich.
He has also written to and met with Justice Minister Sarah Sackman on the subject and written to the SRA.
In December of last year, a tribunal ruled against Milne in his appeal for damages against an elderly widow leaseholder living at a freehold on Mottram Street, Horwich.
The tribunal ruled that Milne failed to produce any evidence for his claim the woman had breached a condition by making changes to the house.
A separate criminal case against Milne, based at Old Broad Street, London finally concluded this month when he was found guilty of stalking without alarm or distress after a trial.
After Milne’s conviction, Mr Brickell and two of his fellow MPs wrote to the SRA urging them to suspend him as soon as possible.
The watchdog has this week announced that it is imposing a “control of practice” condition on Milne.
Mr Brickell said: "I welcome the SRA's restriction of Andrew Milne's licence to practice as a solicitor in light of his stalking conviction.
However, this is not the end of the road as far as Milne's behaviour toward my constituents in Horwich and Daisy Hill is concerned.
I want the SRA to swiftly conclude their investigation into the many allegations against Milne.
And where wrongdoing is proven, I want to see justice done." This means he will not be able to act as a solicitor without being supervised by another solicitor approved by the SRA.
An SRA spokesperson said: “We have serious concerns regarding Mr Milne’s conviction for stalking, as well as wider allegations which have been made.
Our priority is to protect the public.
This is why, as a result of his conviction, we have imposed a condition upon him which means he may not act as a solicitor without being supervised by a further solicitor, who we have approved to act in this capacity.” Milne is expected to appear before Stratford Magistrates Court to be sentenced for his stalking conviction on Tuesday March 10 this year.
