A SOLICITOR and coroner charged with ten counts of theft yesterday admitted he may have overcharged some of his clients.

Jeremy Cave, 53, who denies the theft charges, said that "with hindsight" some of the charges may have been too high.

But Mr Cave, who dealt with wills and probate work at his Thirsk practice, said he felt justified in charging the amounts he did at the time. He said he even consulted the Law Society on occasions to check that the amounts were not excessive.

The coroner for North Yorkshire, who is suspended on full pay, said it was only since hearing the evidence of expert witnesses during the trial that he began to have doubts.

Mr Cave took the witness stand at Teesside Crown Court yesterday to give evidence in his defence.

He told how his practice was struggling during the 1990s after two partners retired and sold their shares of the practice back to him.

Mr Cave said his lifestyle at the time was "comfortable".

He told the court that his two children, now aged 18 and 20, had attended private and boarding schools and the family went on a £3,000 skiing holiday every Christmas, plus an annual week in Portugal.

Mr Cave also told the jury that he was "very poor" at recording every visit made by beneficiaries and will executors, and telephone calls made, and many of his charges did not take this into account.

But he said: "At the time they were drawn, I felt justified in charging those amounts."

The court has already heard details of alleged overcharging on ten estates and that Mr Cave failed to issue bills or inform beneficiaries of his charges.

The case was continuing today.

Updated: 11:39 Tuesday, January 28, 2003