Account manager Steven Judd forged wife's signature to pay off credit cards
Judd forged his wife's
signature to gain £25,000. Library picture
by Keith Hunt
An account manager committed mortgage fraud by forging his
wife’s signature to obtain £25,000 and pay credit card debts, a
court heard.
Steven Judd’s wife Tracey only discovered she was jointly liable
for the amount paid out in 2006 after she started divorce
proceedings last year.
Judd, of Ospringe Street, Ospringe, Faversham, is facing
sentence after admitting obtaining a money transfer by
deception.
Maidstone Crown Court heard the couple were together for 18
years and married for 14 years and have four children.
Mrs Judd moved into her husband’s home in Cyprus Road,
Faversham, and was placed on the mortgage in 1988.
Prosecutor Keith Yardy said 40-year-old Judd, who works for
vehicle tracking company Trafficmaster, paid the mortgage and his
wife paid other household expenses.
"No doubt this has caused great distress to Mrs Judd. She had nothing to do with it. She trusted him and he broke her trust" – Judge Philip Statman
Mrs Judd became
concerned because she did not see any mortgage statements. Judd
told her not to call the bank and he would deal with it.
“She was not suspicious at that stage,” said Mr Yardy. “Things
came to a head in 2012 when she began divorce proceedings.”
She discovered the £25,000 was outstanding. Judd told her he had
tricked her by getting her to sign an agreement. She found out the
loan had been taken out in July 2006.
The bank advised Mrs Judd to contact the police.
Mr Yardy said there was no application for compensation because
the amount would be realised when the house sale was completed.
When interviewed by police, Judd admitted he ran into trouble
with credit cards and could not face telling his wife. He copied
her signature for the mortgage forms.
Leon Kazakos, defending, said a letter had been written to Mrs
Judd telling her she would not be financially disadvantaged when
the house was sold, but she indicated from the public gallery she
had not received it.
Judge Philip Statman adjourned sentence until tomorrow
so written proof of Judd’s promise could be put before
him.
“No doubt this has caused great distress to Mrs Judd,” he said.
“She had nothing to do with it. She trusted him and he broke her
trust.
“The criminality is he has obtained something in a thoroughly
dishonest way and she is liable.”
Judge Statman said he would consider whether a jail sentence
could be suspended.
14/03/13
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