Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property Industry Eye. Read the original article for full details.
Norfolk Letting Agent Faces Crown Court Over Alleged £47,685 Fraud
A Norfolk letting agent has appeared before magistrates charged with allegedly defrauding landlords and tenants out of almost £50,000. Victoria Steele, 51, faces 19 counts of fraud by false representation linked to her management of Swaffham-based letting agency eHomes.
The case concerns allegations that rental income owed to landlords was not passed on and that tenant deposits were not placed into authorised protection schemes as required under housing legislation. Prosecutors told Norwich Magistrates’ Court that the alleged offences took place between November 2011 and June 2018, during which time Steele was director and sole shareholder of eHomes, formerly known as Prestige Properties Limited.
The investigation began in 2018 after around 40 individuals and organisations, including private landlords and a Methodist church, contacted police and Action Fraud alleging they were owed money. The court heard that some complainants allegedly lost more than £4,100, while others were reportedly owed sums ranging from around £690 to £2,200. The total amount alleged to have been defrauded is £47,685.
Steele did not enter pleas at the hearing. Magistrates declined jurisdiction, referring the case to Norwich Crown Court due to its seriousness. A plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for 19 June. Steele was granted unconditional bail.
Prosecutor Katherine Newsom described the case as financially complex and involving a significant number of complainants. The court was told that, if proven, the sentencing starting point for the offences would be 18 months’ imprisonment. eHomes ceased trading in 2018 and was formally dissolved in April 2019, according to Companies House records.
Source: Property Industry Eye