A lettings agent has admitted eight counts of fraud following prosecution by Wigan Council’s trading standards.

Linda Murray, former director of Wigan-based Let Me Lettings, was charged under the Fraud Act 2006.

Her company provided services to landlords that included managing their properties and taking deposits from tenants, which were meant to be held via the Deposit Protection Service.

However, at Bolton Crown Court, Ms Murray, of Windermere, pleaded guilty to not placing money into the service and misleading both landlords and tenants.

According to The Westmorland Gazette, Wigan Council’s trading standards received complaints from seven landlords relating to about nine different properties, with over £6,000 lost due to the fraud.

Councillor Dane Anderton, lead member for civil contingencies at Wigan Council, said: “This Deposit Protection Service exists to protect tenants in rented properties, and landlords and residents that use letting agents for this service deserve to know that their deposits are being protected.”

Ms Murray is due to be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on 8 January.