Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team has secured more than £108,000 in compensation for four victims of a rogue builder, two of whom are Bath residents.
Some of the work carried out | Photo courtesy of B&NES Council
It follows a Proceeds of Crime hearing held at Bristol Crown Court on 6th October.
Martin Brain, of Blackhorse Place in Mangotsfield in South Gloucestershire, trading as Olive Interiors Ltd had at a previous hearing pleaded guilty to one offence relating to the contravention of professional diligence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 after duping his victims out of £133,000.
52-year-old Brain, who also previously operated from premises on Cork Street in Bath, received a nine-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service and attend 18 rehabilitation days.
At the time it was said that legal proceedings to obtain the criminal earnings from Mr Brain would follow.
Bristol Crown Court ruled at a hearing on 6th October that Brain must repay £108,085 within three months as compensation to his four victims.
The sum is part of proceeds from ill-gotten money he unlawfully obtained from his unprofessional business practices.
There is a 12-month prison sentence if Brain does not repay the money within three months and he would still be required to repay the victims on release from prison.
Olive Interiors was previously based on Cork Street in Bath | Image © Google / Google Street View 2024
At Brain’s sentencing at Bristol Crown Court in June, his barrister said the builder was sorry for the harm he had caused and had never intended to put his customers through this sort of ordeal. The court heard how company finances had spiralled out of control.
This week Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services at B&NES Council, said: “The efforts of our Trading Standards team have ensured that we not only brought Martin Brain to justice but also made sure that his ill-gotten gains are returned to the victims.
“We will continue to use powers at our disposal to take action against those who engage in illegal activities and to protect residents from rogue traders. This incident serves as a clear reminder that crime doesn’t pay.”
Residents who suspect they may have fallen victim to rogue traders are encouraged to contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
Trading Standards encourages all residents to visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk when looking to hire an approved trader.
