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![dodgy lettings agent dodgy lettings agent sentenced for stealing £128k from landlords](https://www.ukdcnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sandra-dempsey-VVWPwtuhGI-unsplash-696x522.jpg)
Joanne Barker ran the Rochdale-based Barton Kendall company along with her husband Paul and different administrators.
The Day by day Mail studies that from 2014 to 2018 Barker diverted cash from the agency’s consumer account into her personal private checking account. She used it, amongst different issues, to make rental funds to a fictitious landlord and pay for a £3,640 central heating system at her marital house.
Landlords weren’t receiving hire funds
At a current court docket case it was revealed that in 2018 quite a few landlords started to complain they weren’t receiving hire funds except they persevered with inquiries about overdue cash.
Ian Tweedley, a director of the company, is quoted as telling the court docket: “[My wife] Jo and I labored tirelessly to construct up and keep the enterprise in actually troublesome instances and we grew to become one of many main lettings businesses within the space with a longstanding repute. I believed life was rosy, I believed we have been financially safe albeit not wealthy, the mortgage was almost paid off and I used to be gearing as much as retire at 60.
“After we took on Joanne, she grew to become a trusted household pal and I felt assured she would run the enterprise in my absence. However all that got here crashing down once I discovered she was siphoning off shoppers’ cash from the enterprise and stealing all of the tenants deposits. That day was the worst of my life. I used to be within the workplace at 3am as I couldn’t sleep and my coronary heart sunk as I realised my enterprise was in tatters.
“That very same morning my sister rang me to say my nephew had been concerned a in tragic accident and misplaced his life. I used to be numb, I hit all-time low and we have been actually at a horrendous level in our lives. What adopted was two years of stress, panic and exhaustion to the purpose of almost having a breakdown. I used to be decided to save lots of the enterprise however with such restricted funds I used to be very involved we would must fold the corporate as I didn’t see a method out.
“I realised this may have an effect on our employees who had been conned and our many landlords who’ve been our shoppers for a few years. I felt humiliated and embarrassed. The considered ending of my life didn’t happen to me however I used to be as low and determined as I’ve ever been. [My wife] Jo and I ploughed all our financial savings into the enterprise. I offered my beloved automobile to repay the landlords and obtained a £50,000 enterprise mortgage to repay contractors. It was nearly catastrophic.
“We misplaced some massive landlords, over 50 managed properties, over £50,000 a 12 months. Our insurance coverage premiums went up from £1,600 a 12 months to £20,000. Our standing as one of many main property brokers within the city has dropped and our repute has been severely tarnished.”
Dodgy Lettings Agent sentenced
Joanne Barker pleaded responsible to fraud by false illustration however insisted she had stolen solely £28,868. Nevertheless, forensic accountants mentioned the full quantity lacking from the agency was £128,868.
Dodgy Lettings agent Barker has been sentenced to 2 years jail suspended for 2 years after claiming she was now residing off state advantages in a flat in Salford and was wanted to take care of her aged mom.
You’ll be able to see the total Mail story right here.
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