Illawarra real estate agent Slade Small jailed for scamming clients

A disgraced realtor has finally been sentenced after he defrauded more than $300,000 from clients in the sales of six homes. Find out what the magistrate thought of his apology.

Slade Small was sentenced to two years in jail, 12 months without parole. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

A disgraced south coast realtor has been ordered to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars to victims who trusted him with their savings.

Slade Small, 31, faced Nowra Local Court on Tuesday where he was finally sentenced for defrauding more than $300,000 from the sale of six separate homes after multiple delays.

The con artist had previously pleaded guilty to five counts of dishonestly obtaining advantage by deception.

Police documents said Small’s victims included a mother and daughter first-homebuyers and a 93-year-old retiree selling her family home.

The court also heard how Small used the money he scammed from clients on food, fuel, gambling services and cryptocurrency.

Real estate agent Slade Small leaving Nowra Local Court on November 22. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Representing himself in court, Small said he did not mean to defraud his victims.

“There was no intention to ever defraud anyone,” he said. “This was a series of mistakes that I made overtime.”

Despite this, Magistrate Viney pointed out it was Small’s responsibility to ensure he followed the law.

“You told me it wasn’t your intention to commit fraud, however sir, as a business owner, it’s your obligation to ensure you’re aware of the rules,” she said.

“Trust account money should be kept in a trust account and not your personal account.”

The amount of money Small siphoned into his account was slowly read out to the court, including the $88,000 stolen from a vulnerable 68-year-old woman.

Illawarra real estate agent Slade Small leaving Nowra Local Court on December 20. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

“This is not a small amount of money,” Magistrate Viney said.

Small nervously tapped the book of notes he had in hand as correctional officers entered the room and took their seat when Magistrate Viney began her ruling.

“You have told the court today you are sorry and hate what you did,” she said.

“However, the facts state you agree you would have kept going had you not been caught.

“It is these reasons why I believe a term of imprisonment is the only appropriate punishment.”

Small was sentenced to two years full time custody in the south coast Correctional Centre, with a non-parole period of 12 months.

He had also pleaded guilty to charges of high range drink-driving and using an unregistered motor vehicle after he was pulled over in South Nowra on December 19.

For these offences, he was given a six-month licence suspension which will begin after his jail term.

Magistrate Viney also ordered Small to pay back his victims.