Illawarra real estate fraudster Slade Small’s latest court bid revealed
Illawarra real estate fraudster Slade Small has been issued a stern warning by a local court magistrate after launching his latest bid to delay court proceedings. Find out why.
The South Coast News
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A disgraced real estate agent who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars swindled from unsuspecting clients on cryptocurrency and sports betting has been given his “last chance” to avoid jail.
Slade Small, 31, pleaded guilty at Nowra Local Court in September to five counts of dishonestly obtaining advantage by deception after defrauding more than $300,000 from the sale of six separate homes.
Small was involved in the sales through Illawarra real estate firm Blackbird Agency between August 2021 and February 2022, during which time he retained deposits intended for multiple vendors.
Court documents obtained by this publication revealed not only the extent of Small’s fraud but the litany of victims he impacted, including a mother and daughter and a 93-year-old retiree.
In early 2022, NSW Police obtained access to Small’s personal ANZ bank account and an ANZ account belonging to Smalltown McDonalds, an account linked to Blackbird Agency intended to be used as trustee.
Through his personal and business accounts, Small has used funds for everyday transactions, such as food, fuel, and purchases at licensed venues, as well as Neds, Ladbrokes, Bet365, and cryptocurrency.
Despite the substantial sum retained, police investigations revealed that by January 13, the Smalltown McDonalds account had a balance of just $56.92, while Small’s personal account held only $411.20 in arrears.
“Despite this, Small continued to message victims,” the documents state.
“In messages to one victim, he said: ‘Your money is there bro. Don’t stress about that’.”
Appearing at Nowra Local Court on Tuesday, Small told Magistrate Lisa Viney he was seeking a two-week adjournment while he appealed a rejection by NSW legal aid to represent him during sentencing.
Small had been privately represented for five of the six months his charges had been before the south coast court but applied in late November for an adjournment to make an application for public legal support.
Small said Sydney lawyer Adam Stewart would represent him if the appeal was successful.
But, if it failed, Small said the firm would still represent him, but at a cost.
Magistrate Lisa Viney warned Small that the matters were serious and a jail term was likely.
“This is the second time you have asked for the charges to be adjourned,” she said.
“I will give you one last chance, as a custodial sentence is likely.
“But, this will be the last time. If your appeal is not successful, it will be going ahead, and you will have to represent yourself.
“You have had ample opportunity.”
A representative for the police prosecution said Small had already had time to secure legal advice.
“Small has had multiple representatives,” she said. “I am not sure what happened to the last solicitor .”
Small will reappear before the Nowra Local Court on December 20 for sentencing.
A total of $252,683.50 has been paid out by the Property Service Compensation Fund, according to police.
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