PROPERTY FRAUD
By Nicola Laver and Nicola Laver
A fraudster convinced a Žrm of solicitors a property had been put in trust for her as a child. Sarah Broadbelt, 32, then sold it for £75,000 after changing her name by deed poll to that of the true legal owner. Despite a substantial age difference between Broadbelt and the true owner, no one detected the fraud. A few months later, the owner decided to sell the property and discovered the fraud when the estate agents checked the title documents. Broadbelt was sentenced to 20 months in prison after admitting fraud charges and possessing a false identity document.