A solicitor stole more than £250,000 from clients to pay off his debts before fleeing abroad, a tribunal heard.

David Rawlings, 55, used the money to pay for his children's public school fees and his spiralling tax bill.

He was arrested and charged after the scam was uncovered by his innocent partners at the firm.

But he managed to persuade the authorities to return his passport and jetted off abroad. It is believed he is currently on the run in Thailand.

One distraught client issued civil proceedings against Mr Rawlings to recover £150,000 she lost as a result of his dealings.

Mr Rawlings was yesterday struck off by the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal.

Gerald Lynch, for the Law Society, said: "The picture painted here is one of a thoroughly dishonest man."

The tribunal in London heard Mr Rawlings was one of three partners at D.F.Rawlings and Co, of Parkhurst Road, Bexhill, when the scandal happened.

He was fired in October 1998 after £259,847 was found to be missing from client accounts.

A Law Society investigation revealed Rawlings had made five personal payments to himself, totalling £51,000, and organised improper payments and incorrect transfers.

From June 1996 to June 1998 he made 11 separate improper payments from 47 different clients, equalling more than £176,000. He also transferred £31,000 to his own account.

Mr Lynch told the committee: "The clients were not privy to what Mr Rawlings was doing with their money."

Mr Lynch said the police charged Mr Rawlings with dishonesty offences and he was bailed to appear before magistrates.

However, a magistrate returned his passport, which had been surrendered, and he was able to leave the country.

Mr Lynch said an elderly woman who had agreed to act as a surety for Mr Rawlings had to pay £10,000 as a result.

He said: "This goes to paint a picture of him as thoroughly honest. This is a most serious case, at the top end of the scale."

Mr Lynch added: "His present whereabouts are unknown. Sussex Police are seeking him and an application will be made to extradite him should he be found."

The committee found the lawyer guilty of charges including misappropriating clients' funds and causing false entries to be made in books of accounts.

Mr Rawlings, a solicitor since 1972, was struck off the professional roll and ordered to pay 90 per cent of the £12,391 costs.