Ill health delays case of real estate pair accused of $230k trust shortfall

A PAIR accused of fraudulent real estate dealings which allegedly resulted in $230,000 shortfalls in trust accounts have had their case adjourned due to “significant health issues”, a court has heard.

Former Maudsland-based real estate agent Helen Elizabeth White faces 13 charges, including failing to pay money to a trust account and acting as a property agent without a licence of authorisation, dating as far back as July 2015. Graham John White faces two charges relating to having trust accounts audited.

The pair appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday when a sentencing hearing was scheduled.

But their lawyer, Anthony Delaney asked for the matters to be adjourned, due to ill health.

Magistrate Gary Finger asked why the pair had “a thousand” adjournments this year and said the matters were significant because at least one of them was involved in a $230,000 shortfall.

Mr Delaney said John White had prostate cancer.

Mr Finger told Mr Delaney the Office of Fair Trading had been paying legal expenses each time the pair were due to appear in court.

Mr Finger adjourned the matters to November 21.