A conman who posed as a barrister for almost 20 years was jailed last week.

43-year-old Amir Saleem built his career on a forged law degree, which he used to get on courses at BPP and the College of Law. He conned women with whom he'd had relationships out of tens of thousands of pounds by claiming to run his own law firm, to be a qualified neurosurgeon and to live in a mansion with a fleet of luxury cars. In reality he was unqualified and lived in a spare room at his parents' house.

Saleem was rumbled when acting for a client in Manchester's Civil Justice Centre. Despite successfully representing his client (who was awarded almost £8,000), Saleem's inability to understand basic legal terms alerted his opponent. And his inability to spell "Gray's Inn" alerted the judge. The police were called, and after an 11 month investigation Saleem pleaded guilty to seven counts of deception and one of carrying out a reserved legal activity.

    Saleem pretending to be a barrister and a brain surgeon yesterday

Judge David Stockdale QC sentenced Saleem to four years and four months in jail, describing him as a "knowing and manipulative fraudster".
 
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Comments

Anonymous 04 April 14 10:01

I come across qualified solicitors who are unable to understand basic legal terms. It's scary out there.

Anonymous 07 April 14 11:10

Just goes to show the level of education required to be a barrister these days.