Fake barrister from Co Cork convicted of fraud in England

Michael Cremin, 41, advertised himself as a barrister and was listed on a legitimate chambers website, despite his law degree from the University of London being entirely fictional.

He was convicted at Bristol Crown Court yesterday on six counts of fraud and one count of pretending to be a barrister.

His victims included Sandra Burch, 51, from whom he defrauded £92,000 after she sought legal advice from him over a property deal.

She found him online and was convinced his business was legitimate, but he pocketed the money and used at least some of it to buy a car.

Judge Michael Longman told Mr Cremin: “During all the offending, you portrayed yourself as a person of more substance than you are, falsely claiming to have law degrees and a doctorate.

“Your depiction in your evidence of Mrs Burch having been the author of her own misfortune is an illustration of the depths you were prepared to sink in order to save your own skin.”