DONALD RAMSBOTTOM FROM HAYLING ISLAND REMOVED FROM LAWYERS ROLL AFTER CHILD SEX ABUSE CONVICTION
| Red Rose Database
Hayling Island Sexual Abuser
In a significant development within the legal community, Donald Anthony Ramsbottom, a solicitor with over three decades of professional experience based on Hayling Island, has agreed to be struck off the official solicitors' register following his recent criminal conviction for serious child sexual abuse offences.
Ramsbottom, who was admitted to the legal roll in 1988, faced a court hearing last October where he was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault involving a minor, as well as a charge related to the creation and distribution of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child. The details of the offences and the specific court where the case was heard were not publicly disclosed by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
In November, Ramsbottom received a sentence of four months in prison, which was suspended for a period of 24 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence within that timeframe. Additionally, he was mandated to participate in a rehabilitation activity, a measure aimed at addressing the underlying issues related to his conduct. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and legal costs amounting to £350. Furthermore, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed for a duration of seven years, restricting his activities and contact to prevent any further harm.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal jointly agreed that the gravity of Ramsbottom’s misconduct warranted his removal from the legal profession. The tribunal’s decision was based on the fact that Ramsbottom’s convictions involved conduct over which he had direct control, and such behaviour is entirely incompatible with the standards expected of a solicitor. The tribunal emphasized that his actions were of a serious sexual nature, which fundamentally undermines the trust placed in legal professionals by the public.
In the official judgment, the tribunal stated: ‘[He] has been convicted of serious offences of a sexual nature. In relation to culpability, all of his convictions arose from conduct over which he had direct control and which would not be expected of a solicitor.’
As part of the agreement, Ramsbottom also consented to pay costs totaling £1,120. The decision to remove him from the solicitors’ roll reflects the legal community’s stance on maintaining integrity and public confidence in the profession, especially in cases involving criminal conduct of this severity.
Ramsbottom, who was admitted to the legal roll in 1988, faced a court hearing last October where he was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault involving a minor, as well as a charge related to the creation and distribution of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child. The details of the offences and the specific court where the case was heard were not publicly disclosed by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
In November, Ramsbottom received a sentence of four months in prison, which was suspended for a period of 24 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence within that timeframe. Additionally, he was mandated to participate in a rehabilitation activity, a measure aimed at addressing the underlying issues related to his conduct. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and legal costs amounting to £350. Furthermore, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed for a duration of seven years, restricting his activities and contact to prevent any further harm.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal jointly agreed that the gravity of Ramsbottom’s misconduct warranted his removal from the legal profession. The tribunal’s decision was based on the fact that Ramsbottom’s convictions involved conduct over which he had direct control, and such behaviour is entirely incompatible with the standards expected of a solicitor. The tribunal emphasized that his actions were of a serious sexual nature, which fundamentally undermines the trust placed in legal professionals by the public.
In the official judgment, the tribunal stated: ‘[He] has been convicted of serious offences of a sexual nature. In relation to culpability, all of his convictions arose from conduct over which he had direct control and which would not be expected of a solicitor.’
As part of the agreement, Ramsbottom also consented to pay costs totaling £1,120. The decision to remove him from the solicitors’ roll reflects the legal community’s stance on maintaining integrity and public confidence in the profession, especially in cases involving criminal conduct of this severity.