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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Legal ban for peeping solicitor | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A solicitor who filmed a woman changing in a west Belfast leisure centre has been banned from practising law. | A solicitor who filmed a woman changing in a west Belfast leisure centre has been banned from practising law. |
| Richie MacRitchie, 33, of Ardmullan, Omeath, County Louth, was suspended indefinitely following a disciplinary hearing in Belfast. | Richie MacRitchie, 33, of Ardmullan, Omeath, County Louth, was suspended indefinitely following a disciplinary hearing in Belfast. |
| In February, MacRitchie was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years. | In February, MacRitchie was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years. |
| He had admitted filming the woman in a changing booth with his mobile phone. | He had admitted filming the woman in a changing booth with his mobile phone. |
| The solicitor was convicted in January after originally being cleared of voyeurism. | The solicitor was convicted in January after originally being cleared of voyeurism. |
| At first, a direction of no case to answer was given because his victim was wearing a bikini. Because of this it was decided she was not engaged in a private act according to the Sexual Offences Act. | At first, a direction of no case to answer was given because his victim was wearing a bikini. Because of this it was decided she was not engaged in a private act according to the Sexual Offences Act. |
| Later, however, the Court of Appeal ordered the prosecution to proceed on a fresh charge of attempted voyeurism. | Later, however, the Court of Appeal ordered the prosecution to proceed on a fresh charge of attempted voyeurism. |
| 'Distress' | 'Distress' |
| Passing sentence, District Judge Fiona Bagnall acknowledged the distress and damage inflicted on the woman filmed. | Passing sentence, District Judge Fiona Bagnall acknowledged the distress and damage inflicted on the woman filmed. |
| "It's clear this has had a significant effect upon her life," Mrs Bagnall said. | "It's clear this has had a significant effect upon her life," Mrs Bagnall said. |
| "I do consider this to be a serious offence which does not fall within the low level range." | "I do consider this to be a serious offence which does not fall within the low level range." |
| The victim's father said his daughter - who was in her late teens when the offence happened in October 2006 - was still suffering from depression, stress and anxiety because of it. | The victim's father said his daughter - who was in her late teens when the offence happened in October 2006 - was still suffering from depression, stress and anxiety because of it. |
| Following the conviction, the Law Society of Northern Ireland referred MacRitchie's case to the independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. | Following the conviction, the Law Society of Northern Ireland referred MacRitchie's case to the independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. |
| Although a panel of two lawyers and a lay person decided against striking him off, they did order his indefinite suspension after hearing representations late on Friday. | Although a panel of two lawyers and a lay person decided against striking him off, they did order his indefinite suspension after hearing representations late on Friday. |
| Appeal | Appeal |
| MacRitchie, who is planning to appeal the sentence handed down at Belfast Magistrates Court last Monday, can also challenge the outcome of the tribunal. | MacRitchie, who is planning to appeal the sentence handed down at Belfast Magistrates Court last Monday, can also challenge the outcome of the tribunal. |
| A psychiatrist who examined him following his arrest claimed he was suffering from chronic stress and wanted to get caught. | A psychiatrist who examined him following his arrest claimed he was suffering from chronic stress and wanted to get caught. |
| It also emerged during the court case that MacRitchie, who worked as a non-profit making lawyer based at Conway Mill, Belfast, had been up to £100,000 in debt. | It also emerged during the court case that MacRitchie, who worked as a non-profit making lawyer based at Conway Mill, Belfast, had been up to £100,000 in debt. |
| Following the disciplinary proceedings, Law Society Chief Executive Alan Hunter said they expected "the highest standards and professional conduct" of all members. | |
| "Solicitors who are convicted of a serious criminal offence through the courts can expect to be referred by the Society to the independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, which is empowered to take appropriate action," he said. | |
| "Fortunately such instances are rare." | "Fortunately such instances are rare." |