Two former estate agents from the West Midlands have bben sentenced this week following fraud convictions.
Thomas Kelly, a branch partner at Connells’ West Bromwich office, and Andrew Butts, an agent at the same office, were prosecuted, along with Kelly’s wife Samantha, for fraudulently purchasing four repossessed homes, all in West Bromwich, between April 2009 and May 2011.
The trio made a combined profit of more than £133,000.
In an attempt to cover up the wrongdoing, Connells’ internal audit processes were overridden and the identities of innocent agency employees used.
However, Connells spotted the irregularities and called in the Office for Fair Trading, who, after a tip-off and help from West Midlands police, successfully prosecuted the three.
Kelly received a suspended prison sentence, while his wife was sentenced to a supervision order and Butts received a conditional discharge.
Elizabeth Brown, divisional managing director for Connells, said: “We do not tolerate any wrongdoing from staff and are very pleased with the outcome of this case. After alerting the OFT to the fraudulent activity, Connells fully supported and assisted with the investigation.”
