Architect suspended by Architects Registration Board after debt collector pours acid on client鈥檚 car

An architect whose client鈥檚 car was doused with acid has been suspended by the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

Michael Phillips was suspended for four months after a debt collector he employed used intimidation tactics to pursue disputed debts of nearly 拢150,000 owed to him by clients Cornell and Susan Riklin.

An ARB hearing last week heard how debt collectors employed by Phillips poured acid over the Riklin鈥檚 car, causing 拢15,000 worth of damage, 精东影视 Design reports.

The breakdown in the relationship between the two parties became so bad that the Riklins were forced to obtain an injunction against the architect to stop him harassing them.

The Riklins had disputed the architect鈥檚 bill for work carried out on their grade II-listed Hampshire home.

Phillips rejected a smaller lump sum offer made by his clients and appointed a debt collector to chase the invoice instead.

The hearing found Phillips guilty on four counts of unacceptable professional conduct.

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