A man has denied faking his ex-partner’s signature in an attempt to gain equity in a house.
Oliver Cooper, 31, pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by false representation when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (26 January).
Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger alleged that the defendant placed fake signatures of his former partner on a Declaration of Trust and proceeded to email the document to a conveyancer in June last year.
He alleged that Cooper’s intention was to make a gain of 40% equity in their jointly-owned home in Assart Way, Chippenham – an address where he currently resides.
Mr Ballinger said the loss to the alleged victim would have been approximately £50,000 had it not been picked up during proceedings.
He said the case was too serious to be dealt with by magistrates – adding that, if convicted of the offence, he faces a prison sentence in the range of 18 months to four years.
The bench declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swindon Crown Court. Cooper was released on unconditional bail to return for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 17 February.
