A legal cashier who is currently serving 26 months for fraud has been barred from working again in a solicitors firm.
Liverpool Legal, previously known as E. Rex Makin and Co. Solicitors, uncovered that Rachel Wilson had transferred almost £200,000 from its office account to her own bank accounts between 1 April 2020 and 12 August 2024.
The discovery was made by a colleague whilst Wilson, who had been employed by the company since 2008, was on annual leave.
The SRA said that whilst “occupying a position, namely as chief cashier, in which she was expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of the firm, Ms Wilson dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain.”
The firm held disciplinary proceedings during which Wilson admitted to stealing the money. On 12 September 2024, the mother of two from Southport was dismissed for gross misconduct and reported to the police.
Following a guilty plea, Wilson was convicted of fraud by abuse of position contrary to sections 1 and 4 of the Fraud Act 2006 at Liverpool Crown Court.
According to the SRA report, Wilson had “recorded payments made to consultants used by the firm, but the money, amounting to approximately £13,500, had been paid to bank accounts in Ms Wilson’s name instead”.
The SRA said the firm then carried out further investigation which revealed that Wilson had transferred a total of approximately £196,000 to herself over a four year period.
At the time of sentencing in June 2025, Liverpool Echo reported that Wilson had no previous convictions. Her defence counsel, Lloyd Morgan, told Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) that Wilson had “no lavish lifestyle” and that she took the money “to fund her husband’s drug addiction”.
In addition to receiving a Section 43 order, stating it was “undesirable for her to be involved in a legal practice”, Wilson was ordered to pay £600 in relation to the SRA’s costs.
