October 4, 2017 11.26 am This story is over 76 months old

Lincoln mum-of-four forged ex’s signature to gain £20k bank loan

A mother of four forged her ex-husband’s signature to obtain a £20,000 bank loan, Lincoln Crown Court was told. Sonya Bakin was caught out after her former husband Julian checked his credit rating and discovered that the loan had been taken out in both of their names. Jonathan Straw, prosecuting, said the couple had separated…

A mother of four forged her ex-husband’s signature to obtain a £20,000 bank loan, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Sonya Bakin was caught out after her former husband Julian checked his credit rating and discovered that the loan had been taken out in both of their names.

Jonathan Straw, prosecuting, said the couple had separated in 2011 and divorced two years later when a financial arrangement was made in which Mr Bakin received a cash payment in return for giving up all interest in the couple’s home.

“He believed he had no further interest or responsibility with the house.

“In June 2015 Mr Bakin entered into a 30-day free deal with Experian to have his credit rating checked.

“The check revealed that he still had responsibility for the house and his name was still on the mortgage and there had been additional borrowing.

“He contacted the bank and discovered money had been drawn down from the mortgage account as a result of an application filed by the defendant which included his name and a signature from him albeit a forged signature.

“He had no knowledge of the £20,000 that had been drawn down nor of what had become of the money.

“He provided documentation to the police and as a consequence the investigation was started and the defendant was arrested.

“She admitted she had forged her husband’s signature to draw down £20,000. She said she wasn’t in a position to re-mortgage the property because she did not have the funds to meet increased borrowing.”

Sonya Bakin, 42, of Lime Tree Close, Lincoln, admitted a charge of fraud. She was given a nine month jail sentence suspended for two years with 120 hours of unpaid work.

George Wills, in mitigation, said Bakin has a job as well as caring for her children.

He told the court “In all other aspects she does live a wholly law-abiding and productive life.”