A CROOKED solicitor who raided clients' bank accounts while his business partner was seriously ill has been struck off.

Pamela Higab was battling cancer when officials launched a probe into Philip Pressler.

But Higab was brought before a tribunal as a result of Pressler's transfers.

She accepted two breaches of the profession's rules over the scandal at Hindle, Son and Cooper Solicitors, Darwen, but was cleared of all blame after it was accepted she could not have known Pressler was on the fiddle.

Ian Ryan, for the Law Society, said Pressler transferred £87,255 from clients' accounts into his own account on four occasions between February 17, 1998, and May 5, 2001.

He said: "He used those funds for his own purposes. He acted deliberately, inappropriately and dishonestly. It would have been extremely difficult for Mrs Higab to have any knowledge. They were concealed in such a way that it would have been difficult.

"Although she benefited because some sums were paid into the firm, she did not benefit knowingly."

Mr Ryan said the Law Society went through the company's account on June 15, 2001.

An investigator found a shortfall of £29,881, which should have been present in company accounts.

"He questioned both partners about the shortfall and Mrs Higab said if there was one, it would be rectified," Mr Ryan said.

He said Pressler, who did not appear at the hearing, paid £23,373 and £28,881 of clients' money into his Royal Bank of Scotland account in February, 1998 and August 1999.

He later raided two other clients' accounts of more than £30,000 for his own personal gain.

Pressler also used cash from one client's bank account to pay more than £29,000 from another client's will to the Cancer Research Campaign after she died.

The tribunal heard he accepted five charges relating to the transfers but did not accept he had behaved dishonestly.

Mr Ryan added: "I have to say that I don't quite understand what Mr Pressler's defence is meant to be.

"In my submission, he knew what he was doing. He knew it was wrong and did it deliberately. It is inconceivable that he acted that way by mistake."

Jon Goodwin, for Higab, said the Lord Chancellor's Department had suspended her from her role as a deputy circuit judge while proceedings against her were active.

Striking Pressler off, tribunal chairman Adrian Gaynor-Smith said: "We find absolutely no dishonesty against Mrs Higab. Mr Pressler's conduct can only be described as deceitful and devious.

"Worst of all, he left his partner to face responsibility for these proceedings.

"Mrs Higab is entitled to rely on the total integrity of her partner. She is totally blameless."

Pressler, who practised with Higab at Higher Whittlestone Head Farm, Whittlestone Head, Darwen, was ordered to pay costs to be fixed.

He accepted failing to keep accounts properly written up, drawing money out of clients' accounts, utilising clients' funds for use of other clients, deliberately utilising client's funds for his own benefit, and dishonestly and inappropriately using clients' funds.

Higab accepted failing to keep accounts properly written up and drawing money out of clients' accounts but no action was taken against her.

The tribunal recommended Higab be allowed to resume her role as deputy district judge.