A former branch manager has pleaded guilty to eight fraud offences and denied five other allegations. He and a co-defendant could now await trial.

Seun Alliu, 34, worked at Andrews Letting Agency in Morden, Surrey, between 2011 and 2013.

Kingston Crown Court heard that some properties were let fraudulently and subsequently turned into cannabis factories or brothels.

The offences to which he has pleaded guilty include taking a letting fee, cashing in a rent deposit, and falsifying people’s incomes to obtain tenancy references from LetRisks.

Appearing alongside him, his former girlfriend Dora Vasas, 29, pleaded guilty to seven counts of forging tenants’ financial details to obtain references from LetRisks.

Vasas, 29, who has never worked for Andrews Letting Agency, admitted forging tenancy details seven times between 2013 and 2014.

She denied one charge of stealing a £500 rent deposit in August 2012 and another allegation of pretending to be an agent for Andrews Letting Agency.

Alliu, who now lives in Hove, Sussex, was bailed on condition he does not contact Vasas, of Milton Keynes.

Both are due to return to court after the Crown has decided if there will be a trial.

The Wimbledon Guardian report is here