Anthony Vincent Portman Stitt, 78, also known at Tony Stitt, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on 3 February 2026 where he was handed a two-year jail term, suspended for two years.

The court heard that the Hampstead based accountant removed £407,713 from the family trust fund of a university professor, who had died in 2015. Stitt stole the money by transferring the funds into his own bank account between January 2018 and October 2019.

At sentencing, the judge did not give a custodial sentence due to Stitt’s poor health and age, which under the circumstances was seen to be an obstacle to prison. In addition to the suspended sentence, he was also ordered to complete seven days of rehabilitation activity.

Stitt first appeared in court on 24 June 2025 over allegations he transferred the money from three victims in charge of a family trust fund.

At the preliminary hearings, Stitt pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court. After the initial magistrates’ appearance, Stitt later pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position.

He was a member of the ICAEW for 53 years, joining in April 1972.

In June 2020 Stitt was given a ‘severe reprimand’ by the ICAEW disciplinary committee over issues related to his work as an accountant under bye-law 13.2 about fitness to practice.

The ICAEW disciplinary decision stated: ‘Between 23 October 2019 and 7 November 2019, Mr A V P Stitt failed to provide the information, explanations and documents requested by letter dated 21 October 2019.’ Stitt was fined £5,000 and told to pay costs of £805.

ICAEW refused to confirm whether Stitt has been suspended, telling Business & Accountancy Daily: ‘We don’t comment on individuals’.

According to his LinkedIn page, Stitt worked ‘in the City of London for major financial corporations - providing tax advice to their clients, getting involved in International tax issues and others related to property investment’.

The page shows Stitt started his career as a tax consultant for Whinney Murray, a predecessor of EY in 1972, before working at Deutsche Bank in 1979, and Deloitte in 2006. He set up Tony Stitt Accountants in 2010.

Stitt was still active on LinkedIn up to three weeks ago where he was advertising his accounting services and the company website for his practice is online, promoting his services, stating ‘Tony advises and assists in setting up trusts’.

Pictured: Wood Green Crown Court