"You're going to prison" agent told in £110,000 fraud case

An estate agent in the north east of England has been told he will face prison after admitting two counts of fraud, involving sums reported to be almost £110,000.

Roger Darnton, 53, was due to appear in court late last week but his appearance has now been delayed until July 5. 

In March, Darnton, from Guisborough, admitted charges relating to an abuse of his position as power of attorney and an estate executor to misappropriate funds over a period of almost five years.

At the earlier court appearance he was warned he would face a prison sentence.

A message posted on his agency’s website last year, and still ‘live’ today, states: “After practising as an Estate Agent in Guisborough for 35 years, serving the people of my much loved home town, I wish to announce that I will be retiring and ceasing trading on 31st October 2018.

“It has been a privilege serving the people of Guisborough, to whom I wish every happiness and prosperity in the years to come. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all my clients past and present for their support throughout my career.”

Local press reports earlier this year specified one charge saying that between April 2012 and November 2016 Darnton committed fraud while acting as a lasting power of attorney for Sybil Littlefair, abusing the position to gain £4,487.96.

The second charge said that between November 2012 and January 2017 Darnton abused his position as executor of the estate of R L Ramshaw to gain £105,168.55.