Lawyer who certified forged documents for a conman breaks down at tribunal after elderly couple nearly lost their property
A former solicitor has broken down in remorse at tribunal proceedings after her dishonesty nearly cost an elderly couple their property. Tina Dawson, formerly of Tamworth, was central to a fraud orchestrated by Anthony Lyons, who exploited the generosity of Kenneth and Cheryl Carr—an elderly couple he had reconnected with after decades. The fraud was described as "gross and deceitful" and resulted in costly and traumatic Supreme Court litigation for the victims.
Lyons initially borrowed £162,000 from the Carrs across 19 transactions before using their Thornton property as collateral for a fraudulent £185,000 loan, forging their signatures on documents. Dawson falsely certified that she had witnessed the couple execute the loan agreement and mortgage, though she never met them in person, instead relying on photos supplied by Lyons of them holding their driver's licences. Lyons was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment in September 2020, and Dawson now faces disciplinary proceedings before NCAT initiated by the Law Society of NSW.
- Former solicitor Tina Dawson falsely certified forged documents enabling fraud targeting an elderly couple
- Fraudster Anthony Lyons used forged signatures to secure a £185,000 loan against their property
- Lyons received 14 months' imprisonment; Dawson now faces disciplinary tribunal proceedings
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Anthony Lyons reconnected with Kenneth and Cheryl Carr, an elderly couple he had known years earlier, and systematically exploited their trust. He borrowed £162,000 from them across multiple transactions, and when they could no longer lend him money, he forged their signatures to secure a £185,000 loan using their property as collateral. The couple faced the loss of their home and endured expensive and distressing legal proceedings to protect their assets.
Tina Dawson, a solicitor, certified the fraudulent mortgage documents by falsely attesting that she had witnessed the couple sign them. She had never actually met the Carrs and instead relied on photographs provided by Lyons showing them holding identity documents. Her professional certification gave the forged documents an appearance of legal legitimacy.
Such fraud can particularly affect vulnerable elderly people, and breaches of professional trust within the legal system can amplify the harm. Lyons received a 14-month prison sentence for orchestrating the scheme, whilst Dawson now faces disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Law Society of New South Wales.