A former IT worker at a magic circle firm has been barred from the profession after his conviction for sexual offences against children. Joseph Clifford, from Merseyside, was jailed for 10 years last April after he was convicted of 13 offences against a child, including sexual assault.
Clifford was employed in Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's IT department when the firm was informed in December 2023 that he had been charged with criminal offences. He was dismissed immediately.
It was found that in 2023 Clifford assaulted and sexually assaulted a child under 13, caused a child to engage in sexual activity and took indecent photographs of a child. He also possessed indecent images of a child as far back as September 2022 and made indecent photographs of a child.
In sentencing, His Honour Brian Cummings KC said the damage done by Clifford was ‘incalculable’ and that he shared responsibility for a market for indecent images 'on an industrial scale’.
Clifford’s criminal conduct occurred outside of his work and none of the firm’s IT equipment was used in respect of the criminal activity.
Announcing its sanction against Clifford, the Solicitors Regulation Authority said it was undesirable for him to be involved in any legal practice without the regulator’s prior approval. Clifford was ordered to pay £600 costs.
