Police release road-rage solicitor on fraud charge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tim Robinson, the solicitor who represented "road-rage" killer Tracie Andrews was yesterday being quizzed by fraud investigators after spending a night in police cells.
Gloucester magistrates ruled at a special sitting yesterday that he could be detained for up to 36 hours for questioning over alleged misuse of public funds.
They granted a Serious Fraud Office application for the detention after a three-hour hearing.
Brian Head, solicitor for the defence, successfully applied for an order preventing publication of case details which could be prejudicial to his client. Mr Robinson is under arrest for the alleged aiding and abetting of false accounting in his firm and for conspiracy to defraud.
Gloucestershire police declined to give any details of his detention, but it was understood that Mr Robinson was likely to be released well in advance of the 4am detention limit today.
He was first arrested by police last month over allegations of Legal Aid fraud. He voluntarily attended Stroud police station for interview.
At the special court hearing, Jean Austin of the Serious Fraud Office made the detention application which was contested by Mr Head. The police investigation centres on a three-year period when Mr Robinson's criminal law firm ran offices in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Swindon and Bristol.
In January 1995, the offices were raided in a co-ordinated police operation. They also visited Mr Robinson's home at Badgeworth, near Cheltenham, and the homes of staff members.
His client Tracie Andrews was jailed for life in July for the murder of her lover Lee Harvey. As she began her life sentence Mr Robinson said he would be appealing against her conviction.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments