FAKE pay slips were used during a £4million mortgage fraud racket, a court heard.

Eleven people stand charged with a total of 18 offences between them and are denying all offences at Bournemouth Crown Court.

David Bartlett, prosecuting, told how Amanda Powys failed to tell the Halifax that the man she was carrying out conveyancing for was her long term partner.

He told the court the bank lent James Wooldridge, who is seriously ill and not facing any charges, £149,500 to buy the house in Riggs Gardens, Bournemouth, that they still live in.

Mr Bartlett said Miss Powys authorised a £13,000 payment to herself from the mortgage.

He said Mr Woolbridge was earning between £13,500 and £13,900 as a chef at Dingles in Bournemouth.

But to gain the mortgage payslips were used from a company called ASAP showing an average monthly net pay of £2,670, suggesting a gross salary of £46,000, the court heard.

Powys, 44, faces a total of 14 charges.

Alex Chiswell, 33, of Tangmere Rise, Eastleigh, faces 10 offences and his wife Lisa faces one charge.

Dermot O’Malley-Keyes, 60, of Southbourne Road, Bournemouth is accused of three offences and his wife Madeleine, 59, faces two charges.

Colin Zaczyk, aged 40, of Bassetwood Drive, Southampton, faces five charges and Robert Baird of Juniper Close, Andover, faces two charges. John Hudson, 51, of Commercial Road, Bournemouth, Lee Smith, 32, of Cavendish Place, Bournemouth, Paul Morgan, 36, of Etches Close, Bournemmouth and 38-year-old Maxine Gribben who lives in Luton, face one charge each.