News

An East Kent mortgage adviser has admitted swindling customers, including two pensioners, out of almost £450,000.

Gordon Benville, who traded under the name of Kingsfield in Deal, has pleaded guilty to 16 out of 20 counts of fraud offences reports  FT Adviser.

Benville appeared at Canterbury Crown Court this morning (11 June) and has been remanded in custody until sentencing.

The court has not yet set a sentencing date for 50-year-old Benville, but the Crown Prosecution Service and Kent Police believe sentencing will take place after 30 June.

Benville was banned by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in October 2007 after the FSA received information from the Kent Police economic crime unit that Benville was being investigated for offences of theft and deception.

The City watchdog said it was alleged Benville would ask clients to sign incomplete remortgage applications, telling them he would complete the forms for them as he had all the necessary information.

Information subsequently entered on the applications by Benville, such as the applicants' salaries and occupation, were false, according to the FSA statement.

In each case, a higher loan figure for the customer was entered than the one required by the client.

Benville then told the client there had been a mistake and they should give him a cheque to return the balance to the lender.