Four men deny charges in 'stolen' house case

2 days ago

One of the properties involved in the investigation

Tony Fisher/BBC The exterior of the ground floor of a redbrick terraced house, which has a bay window and the curtains drawn, with the light on inside. The front door is to the left and outside are two wheelie bins, with the word "Luton" on the front. — One of the properties involved in the investigation

Four men have appeared in court accused of conspiracy to defraud home owners by illegally selling their properties.

The Reverend Mike Hall returned to his property in Luton in 2021, after working away in Wales, to find his name was no longer on the title deed held by the Land Registry.

Four men, from Bedford and Kempston, have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud relating that house and another house in Southampton.

They are due to go on trial at Luton Crown Court in July 2027.

Under normal circumstances, property law in England and Wales dictates the original owner cannot claim their property back even if the title change was made fraudulently.

However, Hall fought through the courts for four years, and was granted full possession of his home again in March 2025.

Angus Penfound lost the title possession of his house in Southampton in November 2020 and he has not managed to regain ownership.

HM Land Registry compensates people affected by loss of property in cases such as this.

Three defendants deny two counts of conspiracy relating to both properties:

Romi Anwar, 47, of Beverley Crescent, Bedford
Khurrum Riaz, 45, of Honey Hill Road, Bedford
Lewis Perrin, 32, of Balliol Road, Kempston

In addition, Frank Romain, 58, of Chaucer Road, Bedford, is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud relating to the Luton house, which he denies.

All four were granted bail.

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