Slade Small: Document cache slow South Coast real estate fraud case

A vast cache of police documents has been blamed by lawyers representing South Coast real estate agent Slade Small for slowing proceedings as the once high-flying agent battles fraud charges. Find out what happened in court.

A vast cache of police documents has been blamed by lawyers representing South Coast real estate agent Slade Small for slowing proceedings as the once high-flying agent battles fraud charges.

Small, 31, was charged with six counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception after allegedly defrauding more than $300,000 from the sale of six homes across Nowra and the South Coast.

Police allege Small was involved in the sales through an Illawarra agency between August 2021 and February 2022, during which time he allegedly obtained $310,989.50 in deposits intended for vendors.

In June, Small entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.

Representing the former South Coast real estate agent, Sydney lawyer Jordan Gear asked Magistrate Lisa Viney at the Nowra Local Court on Tuesday for a three month adjournment after receiving more than 1000 pages in documents as part of the police brief.

Slade Small was charged with six counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception after allegedly defrauding more than $300,000 from the sale of six homes across Nowra and the South Coast. Pictures: Facebook.

“We need the time to review the extensive evidence,” Mr Gear said.

Ms Viney instead offered Mr Gear only the typical three week adjournment period, owing to legal requirements for the police prosecution to file their own documentation within six weeks of submissions being made by the defence.

On the urging of Small’s defence, Ms Viney later adjourned the matter until September 16 on the proviso Mr Gear would not then seek another six week adjournment on that date.

According to court documents, Small allegedly benefited from sales ranging from around $800,000 to more than $1.4 million, and included four properties in Culburra Beach, one in Nowra, and one in Worrigee.

According to NSW Government data, properties were sold for:

22 Greenbank Gr: $1,215,000 – sold 18/10/2021

34 Greenbank Gr, Culburra Beach NSW 2540: $1,480,000 – 06/10/2021

8 Black Swan Way, Culburra Beach NSW 2540: $925,000 – 01/09/2021

174 Prince Edward Ave, Culburra Beach NSW 2540: $950,000 – 19/11/2021

22 Alata Cres, South Nowra NSW 2541: $942,000 – 15/03/2022

81 Isa Rd, Worrigee NSW 2540: $788,000 – 08/12/2021

Small remains on bail during which time he is not allowed to apply for a passport or travel documents, and has been restricted from leaving NSW.