A DODGY builder has been given six months to find £20,000 to pay his victims back or he will be going to jail, a judge has warned.

Andrew Cook ripped off two customers while carrying out work on their properties, leaving the victims significantly out of pocket, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The Redcar-based tradesman had previously pleaded guilty to being a trader and knowingly/recklessly engaging in a commercial practice, as well as misleading action containing false information.

He also admitted engaging in unfair commercial practice and advertising which was misleading when he appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court in February this year.

The court heard there were two complainants in the case – the first was left £11,800 out of pocket and the other £7,500 down.

The prosecution was being brought by the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s trading standards team following complaints from the victims.

Andrew White, of behalf of the local authority, gave limited details of the prosecution case after Judge Jonathan Carroll made clear his intentions of the defendant.

Andrew Turton, in mitigation, said his client was ‘contrite and remorseful’ for the situation he had left his victims facing due to his actions.

Urging the judge not to issue an immediate prison sentence, Mr Turton added: “It’s important he retains his livelihood, not only for himself but also for the victims so that he can pay back the money.”

Judge Carroll told Mr Turton he was “underwhelmed” by the proposition of paying back the money on a monthly basis and said it would not be enough to save him from prison.

He said: “If I defer the sentence for six months, the thing that is clearly going to tip the balance in your favour, is if you pay back all of the money to the two victims.

“I’m considering a 12 month sentence suspended for two years, possibly with an unpaid work element.”

He said: “Your behaviour is disgraceful. You left two innocent people high and dry, and significantly out of pocket.

“The suggestion of £300 doesn’t even get out of the starting blocks – it is derisory offer.”

The case was adjourned until March 2.

Before dismissing Cook from the court, the judge warned: “Mark my words. This isn’t an idle threat; you make good on the losses or you go to jail.”