A Bradford solicitor has been struck off after a hearing found he tried to influence evidence.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard that Younus Desai, of YD Solicitors, in Harrogate Road, Undercliffe, was dealing with a personal injury matter regarding an 11-year-old girl in January 2015 when he "improperly attempted to influence the evidence of an expert witness", during a meeting to prepare a report.

The problems came to light and were referred to the Solicitors Regulation Authority when another solicitor, who was also working with the expert witness, noticed irregularities in what a consultant neurosurgeon said.

The 11-year-old was the victim of a car crash and the hearing heard about Mr Desai's actions during a medical consultation where he turned up to act as a translator.

The girl spoke English fluently, but the mother did not.

There were concerns Mr Desai went beyond his capacity as a translator by answering questions for the girl and confirming details of the car accident she had been involved in without being asked to.

Other parties said it was "inappropriate" of Mr Desai to even be there when he was a solicitor and a formal interpretations service should have been arranged.

The Tribunal said his actions were "extremely misguided" and he had taken a "cavalier approach" to his professional obligations.

Mr Desai was also found to have interfered when it became clear he was being investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The tribunal heard he had written to one of his former colleagues involved in the personal injury matter and urged him to give "brief answers" to the SRA's questions because anything longer would give them "ammunition".

Mr Desai also set out nine individual answers which he suggested were used by the man.

He went on to say in a letter: "Dave I genuinely believe very brief responses will suffice just to comply with the notice. I feel it is a storm in a teacup. Giving them anymore (sic) will give them ammunition. Please help me in these difficult circumstances. I know they will prosecute me..."

The tribunal said this was a "dishonest attempt to conceal details of his own actions."

Mr Desai, who previously had an unblemished record, breached the Solicitors Regulation Authority principle six, which urges solicitors to "behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in you and in the provision of legal services."

The tribunal ordered Mr Desai was struck off the Roll of Solicitors and to pay costs of £20,261.