Ms Early, formerly of Elaine Early and Co Solicitors in Comber, transferred thousands of pounds from client accounts to her own between September 2014 and February 2016.

The 53-year-old solicitor admitted 12 charges of fraud by false representation and five of transferring criminal property.

Judge Patricia Smyth, sitting in Belfast Crown Court, sentenced her to two years and eight months, suspended for three years.

Describing the case as unusual, she said the root cause of the offending laid in chronic mental health issues exacerbated by alcohol and trauma.

Judge Smyth said a series of traumatic events prevented Ms Early from exercising the judgment required of a solicitor.