Four men and a woman from the West Midlands – including former brokers and book-keepers – have been jailed for a £10 million mortgage fraud.

The gang were sentenced at Stafford Crown Court to a total of more than 17 years, following a three-year investigation by Staffordshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit and the Midlands Regional Asset Recovery Team (RART).

Two others were given suspended sentences in relation to fraudulently obtaining £45,000.

Stephen Lamb, 61, from Polesworth, near Tamworth, was jailed for five years.

The former mortgage broker with Tamworth Finance pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and fraudulently obtaining a mortgage.

His son Simon Lamb, 34, of Tamworth, was sentenced to 20 months in prison after admitting related fraud offences.

Ruth Berridge, 46, from Tamworth – a book-keeper who traded as Midland Business Services - was also sentenced to five years in prison after admitting conspiracy to defraud.

Michael Bullock, 49, from Stafford – a former broker with Cannock-based RJM Financial Services – was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud.

Amarjit Lall, 40, from Hall Green – a former broker with Birmingham-based Home Finance Countrywide – was jailed for two and a half years after admitting fraudulently obtaining mortgages.

The fraud came to light when a financial crime analyst discovered bogus accounts and accountant’s references by Stephen Lamb and Tamworth Finance.

They were prepared by Berridge in the names of genuine accountants without their knowledge.