Former CPS solicitor struck off after convictions for child cruelty and assault
A former Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutor has been struck off the Roll of Solicitors after being convicted of child cruelty and assaulting a child under the age of 16. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) found that allegations against Anthony Nowogrodzki proved and concluded that the only appropriate sanction was removal from the profession.
At the time of the offences, Nowogrodzki was employed by the CPS as a prosecutor. He had been admitted as a solicitor in July 1991. The Tribunal heard that between 24 and 28 January 2024, Nowogrodzki committed child cruelty by ill-treating a child under the age of 16. It also found that on 27 January 2024, he assaulted a child by beating. The findings were based on criminal convictions secured at Bristol Crown Court on 11 July 2024.
According to the judgment, the victim reported the matter to the police on 31 January 2024. Nowogrodzki was arrested, interviewed and initially denied the allegations. He maintained not guilty pleas until the victim attended court to give evidence, at which point he changed his pleas to guilty.
On 30 September 2024, Bristol Crown Court sentenced him to 14 months’ imprisonment for child cruelty and a concurrent three-month prison sentence for assault by beating. The SRA relied on the criminal convictions as evidence of the underlying conduct and alleged breaches of Principles 2 and 5 of the SRA Principles 2019, which require solicitors to uphold public trust and confidence in the profession and to act with integrity.
The Tribunal accepted those submissions and found that members of the public would not expect a solicitor, particularly a CPS prosecutor responsible for prosecuting criminal offences, to engage in conduct resulting in serious criminal convictions and an immediate custodial sentence.
In considering a sanction, the Tribunal said the misconduct caused significant harm to the reputation of the profession. It noted that the offences involved violence towards a vulnerable person and occurred while Nowogrodzki was making decisions about the prosecution of others.
The Tribunal acknowledged that Nowogrodzki had self-reported the matter to the SRA and cooperated with the regulatory investigation. However, it concluded that the seriousness of the conduct required the most severe regulatory outcome. The SDT ordered that Anthony Nowogrodzki be struck off the Roll of Solicitors. The Tribunal made no order for costs after concluding that he was receiving state benefits, had lost his employment and had no realistic prospect of meeting a costs order.