Belgravia solicitor guilty of assault
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A solicitor was ordered to pay a wealthy client's wife pounds 1,000 compensation yesterday after he was found guilty of assaulting her and imprisoning her.
Allen Chubb, 52, who could now end up being struck off after 27 years in the legal profession, showed no reaction to the 10- 2 majority decisions at Inner London Crown Court.
The lawyer, who was privately prosecuted by his 32-year-old victim, Laura Harold, was found guilty of assault after a row over a disputed bill last April at the law firm's office in Belgravia, central London.
He was also found guilty of falsely imprisoning Mrs Harold, who was dragged across the office floor on her bottom, thrown down a flight of stone steps, and later rugby-tackledwhen she went back into the building to retrieve her coat.
Passing sentence, Judge Roderick Adams told Chubb, a former special constable and charity fundraiser: "I recognise these convictions might well have serious repercussions on your professional life.
"The jury have found by their verdict that you used too much force in removing Mrs Harold and, by their verdict on the first count, that you improperly restrained her."
Chubb was also ordered to pay pounds 1,000 costs. Mrs Harold was not in court, having left for a holiday in Italy.
The five-day trial was told the "tragic" confrontation arose after Mrs Harold called at the solicitor's office to get the deeds to her pounds 1m home in Belgravia. Chubb refused to hand them over until her husband had settled an unpaid bill of pounds 3,500.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments