An Ironton man accused of taking money from the law office of attorney David Reid Dillon and from one of Dillon's clients will spend four years in prison after pleading guilty to three charges

against him.

William Walker, 45, of 506 S. Sixth St., entered his guilty pleas Dec. 13 in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court. Visiting Judge Fred Crowe sentenced Walker to 18 months on each of two counts of grand theft, and four years on one count of aggravated theft.

Crowe then suspended the two 18-month sentences and imposed three years of community controlled sanctions that will start after Walker has completed his four-year sentence on the aggravated theft count.

Walker, who was employed by Dillon's law office, was accused of taking more than $5,000 but less than $100,000 from the office accounts between February 2001 and March 31, 2002. He was also accused of taking more than $100,000 from the estate of Mary Marting between Dec. 14, 2001, and June 6, 2002

Walker will report to authorities Jan. 7.