https://www.mpamag.com/uk/best-in-mortgageCopeland, also a former journalist, ran Copeland Mortgage Services in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, and was named Best Mortgage Broker in the Midlands and Wales at the Pink Home Services awards night in 2007.
Appearing at Caernarfon Crown Court on 22 April, he admitted he had paid out nearly £1m to build a six-bedroomed dream home in Cwm Dyserth, near St Asaph, North Wales, funded largely through loans obtained by lying about his firm’s profitability.
At an earlier hearing he also pleaded guilty to five charges of deception for inflating the salaries of five of his clients, helping them obtain mortgages totalling £686,000.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Austin said Copeland was adamant that all five customers knew he had inflated their wages when making the applications, adding that none of these clients had defaulted on repayments.
Recorder Gregory Bull QC bailed Copeland for sentencing later this year and added: “You are not to read anything into the likely sentence. Imprisonment remains an option.”
In November 2010 Copeland’s home was featured in Homebuilding and Renovating magazine. Described as the “quintessential self-build” the house boasts two double garages, a home office, an open-plan kitchen, a dining and sitting area, a TV room terrace and a roof garden.
Copeland and his wife sold the property in September 2012 for £925,000 but may have to pay back any profit they have made under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
A statement from Pink Mortgage Club said: “Marcus Copeland was a directly authorised mortgage adviser who placed his business through Pink club and numerous other clubs.
“Pink club stopped dealing with him three years ago in July 2012 when he notified us that he was under investigation. We immediately removed his access to use the Pink Club.
“At the Pink awards in 2007, Marcus received a regional award as voted for by his customers, along with lenders and insurance providers. The award was based purely on the number of votes received. Therefore it was not a reflection of Pink’s opinion of his service or otherwise, as we had no influence or responsibility regards his sales process or customer behaviour.”
