The owner of an estate agency business is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to charges under Consumer Protection legislation.

Martin Hobbs appeared before Truro Crown Court yesterday after an investigation by Cornwall Council Trading Standards revealed that he had falsely advertised properties for sale and had falsified documents supposedly from his clients.

Hobbs, of The Old Granary, Coombe Farm, Fourlanesend, Cawsand, Torpoint, whose business MPH Estate Agents was based at The Parade in Millbrook, admitted four charges of false and misleading advertising under Consumer Protection legislation and admitted a further charge of obstructing an investigating officer by producing a fake letter of instruction.

Accepting the guilty pleas, Judge Carr requested sight of the business’s financial records and adjourned the case for sentencing until August 17.

Offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations can carry an unlimited fine and/or up to two years’ imprisonment.

Following an earlier prosecution by Devon & Cornwall Police, Hobbs was convicted in August last year of offences involving the harassment of a woman who ran a competitor estate agency business.