Michael Philip Pulsford

Michael Philip Pulsford, a long-serving criminal defence solicitor, faced severe consequences for historic sexual offences against children. Admitted to the solicitors' roll in July 1980, Pulsford worked primarily in Swindon as a director at the Wiltshire firm Jeary & Lewis until 2018. He was one of the first solicitors granted Crown Court audience rights, building a notable career despite his hidden past.

The offences came to light and were prosecuted at Southampton Crown Court, where Pulsford was sentenced last year to more than eight years' imprisonment. The crimes spanned from 1974 to 1989, during which time Pulsford, in his position as a leader in a local youth organisation, abused his authority over impressionable children. He admitted to 16 offences of indecent assault against six boys and girls, all under the age of 16. In addition to his custodial sentence, Pulsford was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

At the sentencing, His Honour Judge Henry described Pulsford's actions as a 'gross breach of trust', highlighting how he exploited his considerable influence. The judge acknowledged the profound damage inflicted on the victims' lives, as detailed in their victim personal statements, which expressed deep emotion and pain. Judge Henry noted that the abuse ceased in 1989, with no evidence of further wrongdoing since, and recognised positive testimonials from others who viewed Pulsford as a beneficial influence in their lives, calling him a 'mixed bag who has done much evil but also much good'.

Following his criminal conviction, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) investigated Pulsford's conduct. In a one-day hearing last month before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), the details of his admissions and the impact of his crimes were outlined. Pulsford cooperated fully with the SRA and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity in the criminal proceedings. He agreed that a strike-off from the profession was the appropriate sanction, and the tribunal ordered him to pay £1,300 in costs. This professional ban ensures Pulsford can no longer practise law, closing the chapter on his dual life of public service and private criminality.

The case, reported by the Law Gazette on 16 September 2020, underscores the long-reaching accountability for historic child sex offences, even decades after they occurred. No specific prosecuting police force is named in the article, but the offences' historic nature suggests involvement from relevant local forces at the time of investigation.