Sean Callaghan, 64, was jailed for stealing £350,000 from clients over 15 years of deception
A former solicitor and part-time judge has been jailed for four years after defrauding clients over a 15-year period, diverting hundreds of thousands of pounds into his own accounts. Sean Callaghan, 64, from Rayleigh in Essex, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of fraud and two of theft after admitting to stealing around £350,000 from individuals and businesses who had placed their trust in him.
Callaghan, who once served as a deputy district judge, repeatedly abused his position to manipulate payment records and divert client funds for personal gain. According to Essex Police, he falsified invoices, inflated legal fees, and altered payment details on dozens of files to move money into accounts he controlled. The funds were used to finance home renovations, purchase a classic car and spare parts, and invest in property overseas.
The offences stretched across more than a decade and a half, involving multiple law firms and clients who had no reason to suspect that their solicitor and part-time judge was systematically misappropriating their money. Callaghan practised at BTMK Solicitors, a well-known Essex firm, before joining Palmers Solicitors in 2019. Both firms launched internal investigations after concerns arose about missing funds, later co-operating with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the police to assist in civil recovery and criminal proceedings.
At Southwark Crown Court, where Callaghan was sentenced earlier this month, prosecutors detailed how his fraud involved “a deliberate and sustained abuse of trust”. He created false documents, edited payment details, and even manipulated inheritance distributions to conceal his theft. In one case dating back to 2008, he diverted more than £20,000 from a deceased client’s estate into his own business account.
Detective Thomas Blackmore of Essex Police described Callaghan as a “serial deceiver” who “operated a complex web of deception to exploit clients’ funds with total disregard for those he was stealing from”. He added, “Callaghan was in a position of trust, and he used that trust to commit repeated acts of fraud over many years. On some occasions, he even had client funds sent directly to contractors for work on his own properties.”
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Callaghan was struck off the Roll of Solicitors in 2022 following an SRA investigation, during which he admitted to dishonestly misappropriating funds from client accounts. At the time, disciplinary findings described his conduct as “a calculated breach of trust that continued over an extended period.”
Following the sentencing, BTMK Solicitors issued a statement confirming that the firm had “acted immediately” once concerns about Callaghan’s conduct came to light. “We co-operated fully with both the SRA and Essex Police,” a spokesperson said. “Funds identified as affected have been set aside for reimbursement, and we are working at pace to ensure that clients receive full compensation. These clients represent only a small proportion of the firm’s overall business, but we recognise the seriousness of what occurred and remain committed to full redress.”
Palmers Solicitors, where Callaghan worked briefly before his dismissal, also issued a statement expressing relief that the case had reached its conclusion. “Callaghan joined the firm with what appeared to be a long and respected career behind him,” a spokesperson said. “When our internal systems detected an irregularity in the funds he was handling, we took immediate action to terminate his employment and reported the matter to the authorities. We are grateful to our diligent and honest staff, whose vigilance led to the discovery of wrongdoing and ultimately to this conviction.”
The case has reignited debate about trust and oversight within the legal profession, particularly where solicitors handle large sums of client money over long periods. The SRA said it continues to review disciplinary safeguards and reporting mechanisms designed to detect misconduct before it causes harm.
Callaghan will serve his sentence at HM Prison Service and remains permanently disqualified from practising law or holding any judicial office.