An agent is awaiting trial on fraud charges. Claire Waldron, 42, from Prenton, Birkenhead, appeared at Downpatrick Crown Court in Northern Ireland.

She pleaded not guilty to all 20 charges of committing fraud by abusing the position she held at the Reeds Rains Northern Ireland franchise.

She is alleged to have stolen £11,469 in tenants’ deposits between April 1, 2012, and February 1 last year.

According to a report in the Belfast Telegraph, defence QC Ronan Lavery told the court that Waldron had been advised about the discount in sentence given for early guilty pleas, while prosecuting lawyer Sam Magee said disclosure in the case “is under way”.

Waldron was released on bail until her trial due on December 8.

It is understood that she is an area manager for Reeds Rains, which in Northern Ireland is wholly owned and independently operated using the Reeds Rains brand and systems under a franchise agreement.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/worker-at-estate-agents-denies-stealing-10k-from-her-employer-30633923.html