Woman who tried to sell non-existent luxury cars faces jail
A BANKRUPT woman fraudulently obtained £274,000 by offering luxury cars for sale which never existed.
Elizabeth Emmett, aged 48, was warned to expect a prison sentence after pleading guilty at Northampton Crown Court yesterday to obtaining money transfers by deception in a four-month con.
By offering expensive cars for sale, which she claimed had been seized by the courts or Customs officers, would-be customers provided deposits or paid for cars which never materialised.
Matthew Lowe, prosecuting, said some customers never got their money back but those who were more persistent in complaining would be repaid by money conned from other victims.
The fraud saw one car trader pay her almost 150,000 to be supplied with vehicles while acquaintances, businesses and traders handed over sums between 1,000 and 22,500.
Emmett, of Main Street, Cosgrove, pleaded guilty to 14 charges of obtaining money transfers by deception, amounting to 274,000, and as well as prison, she also faces confiscation proceedings.
The court heard how she offered luxury and prestige cars for sale, claiming they were subject to distress or bailiff seizure orders and were available as pre-auction stock to members of the public at bargain prices.
However, the cars never existed and she pocketed the money between February and March 2006, a year after being made bankrupt.
Mr Lowe said: "The Crown's case is she never had access to any of these
vehicles or indeed the luxury goods which she offered."
Co-accused Keith Craughan, aged 56, of Brook VIew, Grange Park, was said to have acted as Emmett's agent in supplying the cars.
After she pleaded guilty, Mr Lowe said it was not in the public interest to have a trial as his alleged role was substantially less than Emmett's.
Judge Richard Bray, who acquitted him of all charges, refused to reimburse Craughan's travel costs, adding: "He brought this prosecution upon himself. How lucky he is, I'm not going to comment."
The judge released Emmett on bail on condition her passport is surrendered, she stays each night at home, does not apply for travel documents and co-operates with the Probation Service.
He added: "It will give her the opportunity to assist the authorities as to where the money is and the more assistance there is, the more she can rely on in mitigation.
"I do not want there to be any misunderstanding. This is a serious case and releasing her on bail is not to give any indication as to the eventual sentence."
Emmett was declared bankrupt in February 2005 for 'unfit conduct' due to the petition of three creditors who paid her 96,408 to
acquire various vehicles and a yacht, which she failed to deliver.
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