A SOUTH Cheshire solicitor with a high community profile has been charged with theft.

Robert Holmes, former senior partner in a Sandbach legal firm and an ex-tax inspector, was declared bankrupt last year with reported debts of £850,000, including £200,000 owed to the Inland Revenue.

He now faces twelve theft charges. Police have revealed that they all relate to the fraudulent use of client funds but have not disclosed the amount involved.

A respected member of the community for many years, Mr Holmes' activities have included being a leading member of the Rotary movement and a Crewe Alexandra Vice President.

The 60-year-old lawyer who lives at Willaston Hall West, Willaston, was arrested last Friday and bailed to appear at Chester Magistrates Court on October 30.

Two years ago Mr Holmes was suspended from practising as a solicitor after an investigation by the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors. The move followed allegations made about the running of his practice. He was the senior partner of Rigby, Stringer and Holmes.

A rescue package was agreed with Northwich solicitors, Butcher and Barlow who agreed to buy out the practice and allow it to continue operating.

Mr Holmes' ban from practising was later overturned at a hearing before Master of the Rolls, Lord Wolfe and he returned to work as a consultant for the new owners.

He was made bankrupt last October at a private hearing in the High Court.

Mr Holmes retired from practice at the beginning of this year after working with the Middlewich Road practice for more than 30 years.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.