AN ESTATE agent has been sentenced to five years in prison for offences of fraud by abuse of position.

Donald George Anthony Scott, 61, of Bolton Low Houses, was sentenced today at Carlisle Crown Court for 13 counts of fraud.

Scott was the director of Donald Scott Land and Estate Agents in Wigton.

Detective Constable Duncan Watson said: "The level of the sentence is an indication of the severity of Scott’s crimes.

"He has preyed on his elderly victims who have known him for many years and had the utmost trust in him, they expected that he would act in their best financial interests, sadly this was not the case.

"His clients were in the main from the farming community and Scott acted as their land agent.

"They have lost huge sums of money by investing in Scott who was using their monies for his own benefit and to try and sustain his failing business.

"Scott was declared bankrupt on March 4 2015.

"This remains in force. The police will now apply to the court's for a confiscation order against Scott.

"The police would like to thank the witnesses in this case for coming forward and being prepared to give evidence.

"Fraud can be an embarrassing crime, many victims choosing to take it on the chin rather than be exposed as a victim.

"This case highlights that those we trust the most can often be fraudsters. We hope that this sentence will act as a deterrent to any potential fraudsters."