The investigation into the 42-year old broker was launched after several victims approached the police after being charged for mortgage applications and surveyors’ reports and then heard nothing more from McClements.
McClements declared bankruptcy five years after setting up his business Northumbria Mortgages in 2003. When his financial problems got worse, he started accepting money from his customers without ever arranging the mortgages they were paying him for.
When the victims complained that nothing appeared to be happening, his answer was to ask them for more money to speed things up.
The full extent of losses was estimated to be more than £70,000.
Judge Peter Hughs, passing sentence, told McClements: “It is often said that buying a home is one of the most stressful experiences that most of us have in our lives.
“People came to you, trusting you to do the best for them.
“When the market turned sour and business became difficult you abused that trust.”
