Bay lawyer declared bankrupt

Hastings barrister Sacha Beacham, has been declared bankrupt.

Troubled barrister Sacha Beacham has been declared bankrupt less than a week after she was convicted on multiple charges for a drunken assault that could end her legal career.

The former Hawkes Bay barrister, who lives in central Auckland, was adjudicated bankrupt on Monday.

Last week Beacham, whose occupation is listed as sickness beneficiary, pleaded guilty in Auckland District Court to charges of assaulting a bar manager, disorderly behaviour, resisting police and failing to co-operate with police after an incident at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour last month.

The assault at Danny Doolan's bar occurred when she and another woman, Catherine Marsh, objected to being asked to leave because of their intoxicated state.

The court was told Beacham hit bar manager Peter Ryan around the nose and face.

Marsh also struck Ryan, on the side of the head.

Beacham was then seen screaming abuse at road workers. When approached by police she refused to give her personal details and abused officers.

Beacham, 41, was sentenced to nine months' supervision, and is required to be assessed by community alcohol and drug services.

Marsh pleaded guilty to four charges and was offered diversion.

The court was told Beacham accepted she needed help, and had been under the supervision of a GP for depression and sleep loss.

Beacham also narrowly avoided being struck off last year over five earlier convictions, including three for drink-driving.

When she appeared before the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal then, she admitted two charges of bringing the legal profession into disrepute and a third charge of misconduct for behaving in an indecent and offensive manner toward police officers during a strip search.

The tribunal censured her and suspended her for two years.

A Law Society spokesman last week indicated Beacham faces further scrutiny.