A BUILDER described by a judge as “a conman” must keep paying £1,000 compensation per month to a couple he defrauded.

Simon Stephen McLean carried out sub-standard work at the home of the couple in their 60s, overcharged them and left it unfinished.

Durham Crown Court heard the customers were left £33,000 out of pocket through McLean’s activities, as they had to pay to have the work performed properly.

Phillip Morley, prosecuting, said McLean engaged in the extension work on their home in Murton without informing them he was bankrupt, in 2015.

It began as a dormer conversion, with further work to follow, but McLean threatened to leave the job unfinished unless they paid him a further £13,000, for which they took out a loan.

Some of the work went uncompleted and was in part said to be sub-standard.

McLean, 42, of Maple Crescent, Crook, admitted knowingly engaging in reckless commercial practice, engaging in misleading commercial practice and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.

He pleaded guilty in April, last year, since when Judge Christopher Prince has sought to ensure McLean pays back the full amount to the victims, with the threat of a prison sentence in the background should he fail.

Deferring sentence, he ordered McLean to pay £1,000 compensation per month.

David Lamb, for McLean, said his client began work as a heavy goods vehicle driver and has been able to meet the payments from his wages.

The sentencing hearing yesterday was told McLean has maintained those £1,000 monthly payments, meaning the couple have so far been recompensed by £15,000.

Mr Lamb said: “He’s more than anxious to carry on making regular payments of £1,000, by way of a compensation order, alongside an unpaid work order.”

Judge Prince said: “I’m minded to do that, but he’s a con-man and so he must speak to someone from probation first.”

The judge said on top of the compensation payments, McLean must also pay half of Durham County Council’s investigation and legal costs in the case amounting to £6,000.

Judge Prince told McLean: “I’ve looked at your record and you’re a dishonest person, a con-man, and you targeted a couple in order to try to bleed from them as much money as you could.

“This kind of offence causes great upset to the aggrieved people involved.”

Passing an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 200-hours’ unpaid work requirement, the judge ordered McLean to continue with the £1,000 compensation payments for 18 months, followed by three further monthly payments to meet the £3,000 costs order.