A solicitor who was convicted of threatening behaviour after spitting, shouting and swearing at his neighbours has been rebuked by the regulator.
David Keith Bridges was investigated by police after his neighbours complained abut his behaviour. While under the influence of alcohol, he had damaged their front door by punching it with his fist; shouted and sworn at them in an intimidating way; and spat at them.
He pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates Court to causing damage to property, using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour intending to cause harassment/alarm or distress, and assaulting a person by spitting on them.
He was sentenced on 3 April 2023 to 80 hours of unpaid work and a 36-month restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his neighbours. Bridges was also directed to complete a six-month alcohol treatment order and ordered to pay £2,200 compensation, a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Bridges was investigated by police again after shouting and swearing at his neighbours contrary to the terms of the restraining order. On 29 September 2023 at St Albans Magistrates Court he was ordered to pay a £200 fine, £100 compensation, £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
The court also varied Bridges’ original sentence by removing the requirement that he complete 80 hours' unpaid work.
Bridges admitted he was in breach of Principles 1, 2 and 5 of the SRA Principles as a result of his convictions.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority said a written rebuke was appropriate because Bridges ‘promptly reported his convictions’ to the regulator. It added: ‘He has shown insight and remorse for his conduct and co-operated throughout the SRA’s investigation. He has no other adverse regulatory history [and] there was no lasting and/or significant harm to the neighbours and/or their property.
‘The SRA considers that a written rebuke is the appropriate outcome because the conduct or behaviour was reckless as to the risk of harm/regulatory obligations. As a consequence of the offences committed resulting in the second conviction, the conduct persisted longer than reasonable.’
Bridges, whose current employment status was not disclosed by the SRA, also agreed to pay costs of £300 for the SRA’s investigation.
