A solicitor has been charged with 14 counts of fraud relating to the theft of nearly £624,000.

Andrew John Taylor, 57, was charged yesterday after an investigation relating to allegations of misappropriation of client funds.

In July 2013, officers from Greater Manchester Police executed two search warrants – one at a solicitors practice in Cheadle and another at a separate Cheadle address.

Taylor has been charged with 14 counts of fraud by abuse of a position of trust in relation to 13 elderly clients for whom he held power of attorney.

He is due to appear at Stockport Magistrates’ Court next Monday.

Taylor’s firm, Andrew J Taylor, was closed down by the SRA in July 2013 as there was reason to suspect dishonesty on his part.

Taylor is a prominent member of the local community, having been chairman of the Cheadle Civic Society, treasurer of Cheadle Cricket Club and a committee member of the town’s village hall and traders’ association.