Ranelagh estate agent Helen Sly of Bay Life Properties faces court
Peninsula property player Helen Sly is allegedly in hot water again, facing charges over allegations she misused a $77,500 trust account.
South East
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A Mt Eliza real estate agent accused of rorting a trust fund account has had her case adjourned because she is too ill to front court, her defence lawyer says.
Helen Sly, director of Ranelagh Realty Pty Ltd, which traded as Bay Life Properties, was listed to plead guilty to alleged breaches of Victorian estate agent laws.
But she was unable to attend Frankston Magistrates’ court via video link on Wednesday because she was said to be suffering a serious illness and having treatment in hospital.
It is alleged between November 2017 and February 2018 the Mt Eliza 68-year-old misused $77,500 belonging to one client that was meant to be held in a trust account.
Now her case has been further delayed for another six months for Consumer Affairs Victoria and her lawyer to negotiate the possible withdrawing of charges against the company.
The court heard she still intends to plead guilty to charges against her.
The realtor has a chequered history, having admitting trust fund breaches in the past.
Between June 2015 and March 2016 she put five Mt Eliza and Mt Martha house sale deposits into her company’s trust account.
She then illegally withdrew $14,500 to use as a slush fund, repaying the money back into the accounts a few days later.
Both she and Ranelagh were hit with $8500 each in fines for the serious breaches.
Ms Sly’s and the company’s estate agent licences were all cancelled in October 2018.
James Dowsley, acting on behalf of both Ms Sly and the company, said she was in hospital and had been advised by her doctor not to attend court.
He said he was in discussions with Consumer Affairs Victoria in regard to her pleading guilty with the charges against the company potentially to be dropped.
CAV prosecutor James Baker said the medical report he received was “somewhat silent” on her ability to attend a remote court hearing, although he accepted it was a difficult time for her and her family.
Magistrate Julian Ayres adjourned this case for six months to allow parties to further discuss the charges and the medical condition of Ms Sly.
Ms Sly and Ranelagh Realty Pty Ltd are listed to appear in court again on September 14.
