A rogue trader who left a trail of angry and frustrated customers more than £31,000 out of pocket has received a 19-month prison sentence.
Mark Thirkell was said to have been "thoroughly dishonest" with the 24 victims who were left with only partly completed building work. In some cases he failed to even start the jobs on properties across County Durham.
They were then left to pay other, more reputable traders to complete the jobs unfinished by the 49-year-old defendant.
Thirkell, of Laburnum Park, Brandon, appeared for sentence at Durham Crown Court on Thursday (February 12) in a case brought by Durham County Council.
He admitted a single charge of operating a fraudulent business at a plea hearing in November, having previously made denials, with a trial date fixed for July this year.
The court heard how Thirkell, trading as AKM Rendering, would attend customers’ properties before giving them a quote for work, between March 2020 and February 2022.
Philip Morley, prosecuting, said the defendant would then ask for a deposit or down payment for materials which customers would pay.
But Thirkell would often fail to return to carry out the work, using similar excuses, such as a broken-down van, equipment failures or that he was attending hospital.
On the occasions when he did return to customers’ properties, he would only carry out minimal or substandard work.
One customer was £10,000 worse off as a result of Thirkell’s fraud, the largest amount lost by a single complainant in the case.
Among his victims was a scout group from Wheatley Hill, which sought refurbishments to its meeting hall, paying £2,713 for materials for work that was never carried out by Thirkell.
Customers often asked for refunds and, even while being investigated, he stated that he would pay them back, but never did.
He even offered to recompense one fleeced customer with 35 bags of render.
Francesca Hallett, for the defendant, said he "deeply regretted" the hardship he had caused and wanted to pay the victims back what they were owed.
Judge Richard Bennett said he considered seeing if Thirkell, "could put his money where his mouth was" by deferring sentence.
But when no evidence was able to be produced to show of any means he had to make repayments, Judge Bennett proceeded to pass an immediate prison sentence.
He described Thirkell as being "thoroughly dishonest" and having lacked "empathy and insight for the victims.’
Speaking after the hearing, Gary Carr, the county council’s strategic regulation manager, said: “Thirkell has been the source of misery for many people in the county over a number of years, so we are pleased that this case has brought successful legal action against him.
Read more:
- Darlington builder who left customers £130k out of pocket with unfinished work jailed
- Dodgy Barnard Castle builder jailed for ripping off customers to tune of £30,000
- Victims of rogue County Durham builder told court how he preyed on vulnerable people
"We hope this prosecution demonstrates our commitment towards tackling rogue traders and that we will fight for customers’ rights.
“We would always encourage residents to use a trusted trader scheme when looking for someone to carry out work on their property.
"If someone feels they have been the victim of rogue trader activity, they can report it to the Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or the police on 101.”
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