Photography: Barrister showed website to women at court
An experienced barrister has been suspended for two years over inappropriate comments and behaviour of a sexual nature while at court.
Alan Wheetman, who was called in 1995, was found to have behaved in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession.
The full ruling of the Bar disciplinary tribunal has not yet been released, but according to the Bar Standards Board (BSB), the finding arose from “inappropriate comments and behaviour of a sexual nature made towards a female involved in a case he was instructed in at a magistrates’ court in August 2022.
“Mr Wheetman showed his photography website to the individual, which included semi-nude images, and offered to take photos of her, with the suggestion this could be without clothing.”
The tribunal ordered that the BSB not issue him with a practising certificate for 24 months.
A BSB spokesman said: “Inappropriate conduct of a sexualised nature is not something that the public should expect from members of the Bar and the decision to prevent Mr Wheetman from practising reflects the seriousness of his conduct.”
Legal Futures has found collection of pictures by Mr Wheetman on a website which connects models with photographers. His portfolio is made up of a mix of artistic-style nude, topless, bikini and clothed images of women.
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
