Despite pleading guilty to 16 charges of fraud, a mortgage broker has had his sentencing delayed because the judge was ‘not on duty’.
41-year-old Nigel Alexander McClements of Carlisle set up his brokerage, Northumbria Mortgages, in Scaleby in 2003 and ran the company well for several years.
However, when the recession hit his profits dwindled and McClements began charging his trusting clients for services including valuations, remortgage arrangements and house surveys. He failed to carry out these services but kept the fees, which amounted to approximately £35,000.
After defrauding dozens of people, McClements fled to South Africa where he reportedly took up gambling in the hope that he could win enough money to pay back his victims.
Meanwhile, police in Carlisle were receiving complaints and decided to alert fraud detectives, who swiftly launched an investigation into the fraudster's activities. When the full extent of his crimes were uncovered, McClements was ordered to return to the UK.
Initially though, the father of two refused to co-operate and fled from the police. He was eventually tracked down and arrested in Belfast last year.
During his trial at Carlisle Magistrates Court last year, Craig McKenzie, defending, described McClements as having previously been a man of ‘good character’.
“These offences have been committed in a desperate attempt to keep the wolf from the door,” he said.
“In trying to keep his family together he has resorted to desperate measures.”
McClements has now been in custody awaiting sentencing since October 2010. The next sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 7th, when it is hoped the Judge will be ‘on duty’.
By Katie-Jill Rowland
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