Accused tell court they were 'not behind lies' in £2.5m mortgage fraud (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Accused tell court they were 'not behind lies' in £2.5m mortgage fraud

5:35pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Neil Hunter

 A PROPERTY developer and an agent embroiled in allegations of a £2.5m mortgage fraud have both told a jury that they were not behind lies on application forms.

Jason Omar, from Middlesbrough, and Paul Bradwell, from Hartlepool, claim others were responsible for providing lenders with the misleading information.

Mr Omar, 42, said he simply signed the documents without checking what details had been filled in by his financial advisors as he bought a chain of houses.

Mr Bradwell, 53, said he took at face value the information - such as the values of the properties and the purchaser's income - which was provided by others.

He denied claims that he got "kick-backs" for helping Mr Omar and a one-time associate, Angelique Huggett, build up a portfolio of homes across Teesside.

The men are on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of conspiracy to defraud between January 2007 and October 2008 when a "large number" of deals went through.

Mother-of-two Huggett, 45, of Dishforth Close, Thornaby, near Stockton, has admitted the charge and will be sentenced at the end of the trial.

Solicitor Desmond McCarthy, 69, of Anchorage Mews, Thornaby, faced the same charge but was found not guilty on the directions of Judge Howard Crowson.

Mr Omar, of Church Lane, Ormesby, said he “never conspired”, “never lied” and “didn’t know” he had previous convictions he should have declared.

Broker Mr Bradwell, of Meadowgate Drive, Hartlepool, said each time he put through an application he used details he had previously been provided with.

The trial continues.