A woman identified as Ariana Rose, 40, is facing charges for alleged tenancy frauds and theft, having accrued tens of thousands in unpaid rent and stolen jewelry and antiques from properties where she was house-sitting. The accusations include illegally sub-letting flats and pocketing deposits from unwitting tenants. While house-sitting in locations such as Hampshire, Somerset, Suffolk, and Essex, Rose is accused of stealing items valued at thousands of pounds, including a gold bracelet worth £4,000 and a Le Creuset pan. The court heard that Rose also received Universal Credit and earnings from other bookings while allegedly committing these offenses.
Rose appeared in court via video-link from Bronzefield Prison after a private prosecution was initiated by Caroline Evans, a property administrator. Evans alleged that Rose moved into her flat in September 2023 and subsequently refused to pay rent for two years, accumulating £43,000 in arrears. Evans stated she spent £6,000 of her own money and that it took 11 months to remove Rose from the property.
The court was informed that Rose has a history of fraud convictions spanning nearly two decades, including illegal transactions while employed at Barclays Bank in 2008 and stealing money through fake deposits in 2011. She is currently facing charges for tenancy frauds in Manchester, where she allegedly sub-let a retiree's flat and used a fake email address to communicate with housemates. One tenant reportedly paid Rose £4,340 for a short-term let and described her as "controlling and irrational."
During her period of alleged offenses, Rose is said to have received approximately £30,337 in fraudulent rent and fees. She is also accused of stealing from brides while posing as a hair and make-up artist. One bride reported that a watch identical to one that disappeared on her wedding day later appeared on Rose's social media.
Between July and October of the previous year, Rose reportedly joined TrustedHousesitters, a platform for house and pet sitting. During a three-day house-sitting engagement in Warwickshire, owners returned to find numerous valuable items missing, including a cocktail watch, a gold bracelet, and a Le Creuset pan. Rose was later arrested while driving a rented car, with police finding designer sunglasses, cash, foreign currency, and a Rolex watch in her possession. She also possessed a key to another local property where police discovered expensive champagne, designer shoes, and various antiques.
Investigators reportedly found photos on Rose's phone depicting the homes she was staying in and the items she had allegedly stolen. She initially denied stealing the items, claiming they were given to her after the owners were "having a clear out." She later admitted to five counts of burglary and one count of theft.
Defending counsel stated that Rose expressed remorse, attributing her actions in part to the death of her father in 2023, after which she "spiralled into fraud." The court heard that Rose pleaded guilty to seven fraud offenses against four individuals and one count of perverting the course of justice between October 2016 and April 2024. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 2.