Courts / Wicklow / Report
Bench warrant issued for fake barrister fraudster as partner gets suspended sentence
Summary
A judge issued a bench warrant for David Williams, 67, after he failed to appear for sentencing. Williams, who had pleaded guilty to multiple counts of deception, including fraudulently posing as a barrister and defrauding a Galway woman of over €7,000, had previously been adjourned for medical reasons and had a history of non‑attendance. He was also convicted of providing legal services while unqualified and acting as an unauthorised insolvency practitioner. His partner, Crystal Talia, 46, was sentenced today for allowing Williams to use her bank accounts to facilitate the fraud. Talia received a fully suspended 12‑month sentence, with the judge noting her good character and family circumstances. The case involved the fraudulent firms THL Legal and Moore, Barrington and Walters, which were raided and found to have a client list of 1,200 victims. The bench warrant was issued to ensure Williams' arrest.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bench warrant issued for fake barrister fraudster as partner gets suspended sentence. Charges or matters: multiple sample counts of deception on dates between January 2019 and June 2020; defrauding a Galway woman in her 80s by dishonestly inducing her to buy a mini-digger for over €7,000; impeding an investigation by allowing Williams to use her bank accounts on dates between September 2018 and May 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 2019 Other
- June 2020 Other
- July 2024 Adjournment
- September 2018 Incident
- May 2020 Incident
- November 2019 Incident
- 2025-01-17 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: multiple sample counts of deception on dates between January 2019 and June 2020; defrauding a Galway woman in her 80s by dishonestly inducing her to buy a mini-digger for over €7,000; impeding an investigation by allowing Williams to use her bank accounts on dates between September 2018 and May 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Williams was due to be sentenced today but he failed to show up and medical letters were handed in to the court instead by his defence counsel, Pieter Le Vert BL. William's former partner, Crystal Talia (46), of the same address, was in court today to be sentenced for her role in the offence.; His sentence was also adjourned last November for medical reasons and he has previously failed to attend court.
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