A Norfolk estate agent has appeared in court accused of defrauding tenants and landlords out of almost £50,000.
Victoria Steele, 51, faces 19 charges of fraud by false representation linked to her running of Swaffham-based lettings firm eHomes.
The allegations relate to the period between November 2011 and June 2018, when Steele was director and sole shareholder of the business, formerly known as Prestige Properties Limited.
The Eastern Daily Press reported last week that Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard claims that landlords were not paid rent owed to them and that tenants’ deposits were allegedly not protected in authorised tenancy deposit schemes as required by law.
POLICE INVESTIGATION
A police investigation was launched in 2018 after around 40 individuals and organisations, including a Methodist church and a landlord recovering from cancer, reported concerns to police and Action Fraud claiming they were owed money.
The total amount alleged to have been defrauded is £47,685.
Among the accusations are claims that some complainants lost more than £4,100, while others were allegedly defrauded of sums ranging between £690 and £2,200.
Steele, of School Road, Holme Hale, near Necton, did not enter pleas during the hearing.
FINANCIALLY COMPLEX
Prosecutor Katherine Newsom told the court there were a “significant number of complainants” and described the case as financially complex with extensive evidence.
Magistrates ruled the case was too serious to remain before the lower court and referred it to Norwich Crown Court, where a plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for June 19.
Steele was granted unconditional bail until the next hearing.
The court heard that if convicted, the sentencing starting point for the offences is 18 months’ imprisonment.
eHomes ceased trading in 2018 and Companies House records show the business was dissolved in April 2019.
