Seven bailed on 'boiler-room' fraud charges

Seven people appeared in court today charged with operating a "boiler-room" share-trading fraud.

Michelle Coleman, 58, of Oaklands Park, Brentwood, Essex, and two of her children, Daniel Gooding, 35, and Emma Farmer, 37, also of Oaklands Park, appeared at City of London Magistrates' Court charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Shaun Rumsey, 29, of Ash Grove, Dunmow, Essex, John Emery, 32, of Birch Road, Romford, Essex, Philip Morris, 34, of Shuttle Close, Biddenden, Kent, and Ian Hughes, 30, of Pen-y-lan Road, Cardiff, all faced the same charge.

The case involves an alleged boiler-room fraud where investors were cold-called by fake stockbrokers who manipulated them into buying worthless shares.

All seven were granted conditional bail to appear at Southwark Crown Court on May 18.