Carlisle mortgage broker sentenced for fraud
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A Carlisle mortgage broker has been sentenced to three years imprisonment after pleading guilty to 20 offences of fraud and one offence of money laundering.
He asked for a further 54 offences of fraud to be taken into consideration.
Nigel McClements, 42, from Scaleby near Carlisle traded as Northumbria Mortgages but came under investigation after over 40 people contacted police to say they had paid fees of between £250 and £4,500, for mortgage applications and surveyors reports that had not been progressed.
During the investigation more than 30 other victims were identified.
The full extent of the victims’ losses is estimated to be over £70,000.
Following a period of time where he was wanted by police, McClements was tracked down in Belfast in October 2010, where he was arrested and brought back to Carlisle for questioning.
McClements’ partner, Andreanna Humble, pleaded guilty to one offence of money laundering.
McClements was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment – two years and three months for the fraud offences and nine months for money laundering.
Humble was sentenced to a six month suspended sentence, a six month supervision order and 80 hours community service.
DC Chris Brennand led the investigation. He says: “McClements abused his professional status to defraud innocent homebuyers of their hard-earned cash.
“He and his partner lived above their means using other people’s money, and now McClement will have significant time to reflect on his actions while he’s behind bars.”
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Readers' comments (7)
Anonymous | 4 Aug 2011 12:40 pm
how did he think he would get away with taking fees and not submitting applications?? ridiculous. good riddance
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Anonymous | 4 Aug 2011 12:51 pm
Dodgy brokers like McClements are despicable. However, saying that compared to other more serious crimes that infuriate the public, his sentence seems out of all proportion for a £70k white collar crime.
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jonny | 4 Aug 2011 2:01 pm
Cant agree@12.51, I dont this is an example of white collar crime. Its outright theft.
Hes stolen 70k! If anything the sentence is very lenient.
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Shaks | 4 Aug 2011 3:57 pm
He's a crook for sure but 3 years in jail seems excessive to me too compared to some sentences handed out to senior white-collar execs who embezzle mega bucks. Judges take the view that the exposure to shame and loss of career is sufficient punishment and hand them ultra light sentences.
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john smith | 5 Aug 2011 3:47 pm
3 years does seems excessive considering I read somewhere yesterday that a convicted paedophle also received a minimum of years but you have to remember that he has done this calculatingly over a long period of time, not exactly a one off moment of madness. its theft and someone who has abused his position
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Anonymous | 8 Aug 2011 8:47 am
who on earth signed him off as a fit and proper person when he made the authorisation application?
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Grey Haired Underwriter | 9 Aug 2011 10:46 am
The guy is a proven fraudster and deserves everything he gets. He gives all brokers a bad name and I am appalled that anybody things he has been harshly treated. He is a con man and should be treated as such. The fact that others get lighter sentences just shows how soft this Society is becoming - and we wonder why people are looting London. Perhaps it's because they will get a gentle slap on teh wrist and told not to be naughty again
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