STEPHEN FLATTERY, 52, AN UNEMPLOYED MAN IDENTIFIED AS THE HEAD OF A HERTFORDSHIRE ORGANISED CRIME GROUP (OCG), APPEARED IN WESTMINSTER MAGISTRATES’ COURT ON APRIL 10, 2024, to face six counts of fraud by false representation and one count of perverting the course of public justice. The charges stem from his alleged attempt to defraud investors, courts, and police by falsely claiming a lawful right to a property in Hitchin.
The OCG, led by Flattery, is accused of exploiting the unregistered status of the Woolgrove Road property to criminally trespass and subsequently establish a drug distribution operation. The group further attempted to fraudulently acquire the property by filing false notices and statements with HM Land Registry.
The scheme began to unravel following the death of OCG member John Dolan in June 2021. Evidence surfaced revealing that the OCG had registered a sham company, Shearson Lemond Limited, at the property and used it to secure a £250,000 loan from an overseas lender, with no intention of repayment.
The court also heard that Flattery and Odette Trimble Holcup allegedly forged an Assured Tenancy Agreement (AST), a document described as "obviously fraudulent" due to inconsistencies in dates and other errors.
The case has also brought serious allegations of professional negligence, gross misconduct, and bias against Hertfordshire Police, specifically Chief Constable and Detectives DS Anna Luxon, DC Sian Beames, and DC David Quinn. These officers are accused of making fraudulent representations in witness statements and court notices, effectively framing an innocent man.
Detectives Luxon, Beames, and Quinn allegedly ignored the patently bogus AST, attesting that they had no concerns about its validity. This is despite Flattery's own witness statement contradicting the AST's dates. The officers are accused of failing to conduct a basic level of due diligence.
The officers are alleged to have engaged with Flattery, who brazenly moved his partner and children into the property.
Further adding to the concerns, Flattery was accompanied by DC Beames at his first Westminster Magistrates’ Court appearance on March 27, 2024, where she acted in a pseudo-solicitor capacity.
Evidence also suggests that Detective David Quinn perverted the course of justice by dishonestly recording details of a possession hearing at the County Court Luton sitting at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on 21st May 2021. District Judge Waring will be called as a witness to challenge the corrupt Officer’s version of her Order.
Financial Fraudster News has uncovered evidence that Flattery was able to directly contact either DS Luxon or DC Beames, who then intimidated High Court Enforcement Officers executing a lawful Writ of Possession for the property.
On March 20, 2024, DC Beames and Flattery are alleged to have made further fraudulent representations to Master Davison of the High Court King’s Bench Division, claiming the lawfully obtained Writ of Possession was fraudulent, in order to induce the Master to stay the execution.
The actions of these Hertfordshire Police officers, in allegedly aiding and abetting a fraud orchestrated by an OCG, has been described as "incredulous but factual" and demands investigation by the police watchdog, the IOPC.
On April 10, 2024, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard the details of Flattery’s alleged criminal conduct, and the case was remitted to Peterborough Crown Court, set for May 8, 2024. Flattery was granted conditional bail.
Financial Fraudster News crime contributor and former Metropolitan Police Senior Economic Crime Investigator, Robert Smith, stated, "I have followed this case for several years... the facts confirm high levels of collusion between Hertfordshire Police Detectives and an organised crime group. These officers have ignored a fake tenancy agreement, and their detective work is extremely negligent that could amount to gross misconduct. CPS lawyer Andrew Sarkany authorised Hertfordshire Police to bring charges against an innocent man which give rise to the question how did Mr Sarkany arrive at the charging decision? The evidence relied on should have been subject to criminal sanctions. It is now incumbent upon Hertfordshire Chief Constable to get a grip and root out corrupt officers, collusion with members of an OCG simply undermines the public’s faith in the police and criminal justice system of England.”
Financial Fraudster News invited comments from Hertfordshire Constabulary who have declined to comment.
Related Article:
 Bogus AST Rental Agreement.pdf | [Fraudulent Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement ] | 2600 kB |
| Bogus Renovation_Contract.pdf | [Odette Hulcup and Flattery Fraud Conspiracy] | 2547 kB |
| Flattery Charges.pdf | [Flattery Criminal Charges] | 915 kB |
| Shearson Lemond.pdf | [OCG Sham Company used £250K Fraud] | 815 kB |
