Nine on trial accused over £7m property fraud charges

EIGHT men and a woman went on trial yesterday accused of being involved in a £7 million property fraud in Aberdeen.

David George Pocock, 48, Russell Taylor, 43, Alastair Walker, 62, David Ramage, 53, David Mark Pocock, 49, Frank Pocock, 49, Patrick Pocock, 46, Mark Mackie, 42 and Arlyn Cran, 41, all deny being part of a fraudulent scheme to obtain money, mortgages and property.

The offences are alleged to have taken place over a four-year period at various addresses in Aberdeen.

The trial, which began yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow, is expected to last about five months.

David George Pocock, Taylor, Walker and Ramage are alleged to have pretended that David George Pocock was buying properties supported by valuations prepared by Walker. It is alleged they knew the values were false and induced banks or building societies to advance money.

Prosecutor Keith Stewart said the first witness would give evidence tomorrow.