Belfast: Solicitor who defrauded clients of £85k spared prison

During the property crash in 2007 and 2008, McAleese’s business got into financial trouble.

At this time, money was removed by McAleese from the client account and put into the office account to keep the business afloat.

A total of £85,000 was taken from the client account, the court heard.

Three of the charges related to monies due from family estates.

The fourth charge involved a client who was told by McAleese that an insurance company had offered her a £2,500 settlement for her civil claim when it was in fact settled for £12,500.

McAleese was removed as a solicitor in June 2018 after an audit of her books in 2016 by the Law Society and an independent firm of accountants.

The injured parties had already had their money paid back by the Law Society.

During a police interview in August 2022, McAleese made “full admissions” to the frauds.

A defence barrister said that McAleese’s husband has paid £30,000 to the Law Society and is buying her £40,000 share in the family home.

On Friday the court heard that another relative had raised a further £35,000, which is to be lodged with the Law Society.