A former trainee solicitor has been barred from the profession after he was convicted of possessing and publishing indecent images.

SRA

Jack Mallinson, then 26, pleaded guilty last year to six offences arising from images found on his laptop and phone of children and animals.

He received a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to attend rehabilitation and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Mallinson had worked for national firm Slater and Gordons as a Court of Protection paralegal for two years before securing a training contract with Yorkshire firm Law Offices UK, also known as Wilsons.

He was around six months into his training contract when he was arrested by West Yorkshire Police. His firm started its own internal investigation which established that Mallinson had used its IT system to access pornographic images. He was dismissed for gross misconduct.

An SRA notice said Mallinson worked with a variety of clients, including in the Court of Protection, where the nature of that work means that clients can be particularly vulnerable.

It added: ‘Mr Mallinson’s conviction undermines the public’s trust and confidence in the safe delivery of legal services, particularly where clients are vulnerable. His underlying behaviour questions the high standards of professional judgment that the public expects of someone working in such roles.’

It was reported at the time of his conviction that Mallinson, from Wakefield, was also a former special constable. National Crime Agency officers discovered 3,710 indecent images of children on his phone, including 199 being in the most severe category. They also found 14 extreme images on his laptop.

He is subject to a section 43 order preventing him from working for any law firm, and must pay £300 costs.