A SOLICITOR who used cash from dead clients' estates to maintain a lavish lifestyle has been jailed for five years.

Philip Pressler, 52, of Whittle Stone Head, Darwen, bought a flat in Tenerife and two houses in East Lancashire, and attempted to buy £50,000 of shares in bookmakers William Hill with cash meant to be bequeathed to grieving relatives or charities.

Pressler, who had been a senior partner at Darwen solicitors Hindle, Son and Cooper - based in Church Street - pleaded guilty to 36 counts of theft and asked for another 11 to be considered. All took place between 1992 and 2001 and came to light after a police investigation was prompted by a complaint to the Law Society.

The crimes included:

Taking £20,000 from the estate of Margaret Walsh, who died of cancer in 1998, and paying it into an account used by his ex-wife, along with a cheque for £30,000, paid into an off-shore account.

Shifting £28,000 from a woman's estate to a Spanish account then using it to buy an apartment in Tenerife.

Using £50,000 from another estate to try and buy shares in William Hill bookmakers, before returning it after the share issue was oversubscribed.

Putting money into an account to buy a house in Royd Street, Accrington, using the false name of Lloyd.

Not paying £4,000 to Bolton Health Authority and £18,000 to Cancer Research Campaign from another estate - cash eventually handed over from funds from another client.

Stealing several thousand pounds from an elderly woman compensated for the M65 being built close to her home, when he claimed he had invested it for her.

Failing to hand over £23,500 left by an animal-lover for the RSPCA.

David Pickup, prosecuting, said the Law Society investigation began in 2001, with the police becoming involved in January 2002, after the company had been forced to close.

Pressler was struck off in May 2003 after Law Society disciplinary proceedings.

As a result of investigations by the Major Crime Unit Fraud Squad at Lancashire Police, Pressler was arrested in October last year.

Passing sentence, Judge Anthony Russell QC told Pressler he had exploited his position for his own gain.

He added: "It is difficult to imagine a more serious case of theft by a solicitor. Your greed was the motive behind this crime.

"You raided large sums entrusted to your care, when you were administering various estates, as and when it suited you.

"If you got the opportunity, you grossly overcharged clients for services."

Pressler was of previous good character, defence lawyer Arthur Neil said, and added that his client was now a ruined and disgraced figure.

Government changes to solicitors' pay structures squeezed his income, Mr Neil added.

Pressler was said to feel genuine remorse, with his life in tatters due to his wrongdoing, but didn't expect any mercy.

The judge praised the actions of DC Janet Baldwin and DS Graham Norris for the great care they had taken with the investigation, asking that his remarks be passed on to the Chief Constable.

After the hearing, some of those affected by Pressler's crimes and who saw him sent down said they were happy he was behind bars.

The judge ordered a confiscation hearing to be held in February 2005 when DS Norris and his investigators will attempt to secure the confiscation of Pressler's assets in order to repay his victims.