A former letting agency boss has been handed a suspended prison sentence after defrauding landlords and tenants out of more than £48,000.

Victoria Steele, 51, of School Road, Holme Hale, near Swaffham, was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to 19 fraud offences following a police investigation.

At Norwich Crown Court, Steele was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Police have also started proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seek compensation for 20 victims and a confiscation hearing is due to take place in February 2027.

Steele owned and operated E-HOMES Ltd, formerly known as Prestige Property Ltd, between 2004 and 2019, based in Norfolk. The investigation began after a number of landlords and tenants raised concerns about her business practices.

Investigation

The court heard how the company offered either both a full management and let-only service. An investigation found that Steele had failed to protect some tenants’ deposits in the approved government-backed deposit protection scheme, leaving landlords financially exposed and requiring them to reimburse tenants themselves.

Police also received reports of rental payments made by tenants not being passed on to landlords.

Professional

Victims described how their relationships with Steele initially appeared professional and positive before concerns were raised about missing money, unanswered enquiries and unreturned property keys.

DC Stuart D’Costa says the victims – who suffered losses amounting to £48,858 - placed their trust in Steele to manage their properties and finances professionally.

“Instead, she abused that trust, leaving landlords and tenants significantly out of pocket and causing considerable stress and anxiety over a prolonged period.”

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