A cowboy builder went on luxury holidays and golf trips leaving unfinished work for customers swindled out of £150,000.
Paul Atkinson, 46, failed to finish building work at a number of homes despite taking cash from vulnerable clients.
A court heard Atkinson was ‘difficult to reach after funds were transferred’ – and took time off for luxury breaks.
One victim employed him to build an extension to help her wheelchair-bound son but she was left unable to contact him.
The mother said Atkinson dug a trench in her garden meaning she had to carry her son in his wheelchair to get to their car.
She said: ‘What upset me most was he knew how dependent we were on the garden.’
Newport Crown Court heard Atkinson turned up at her house ‘angry’ when she asked for her money back.
A proceeds of crime hearing was told Atkinson took a total of £147,500 from his customers between September 2019 and July 2022.
A cowboy builder went on luxury holidays and golf trips leaving unfinished work for customers swindled out of £150,000
Paul Atkinson, 46, failed to finish building work at a number of homes despite taking cash from vulnerable clients
Prosecutor David Elias KC previously said he appeared to be ‘open, professional, and knowledgeable about what he was going to do’ when first meeting his customers.
But the work that was carried out was of a poor standard and in many cases work had to be removed and rectified at great expense.
The court heard Atkinson would rarely respond to message after deposits had been transferred – and would make excuses for delays.
In a victim personal statement, one family said their daughter suffered from health complications at the time they were conned by Atkinson.
They were forced to take extra hours in work and cancel holidays after the ordeal prevented them from spending more time on their daughter.
Another couple said: ‘This has left us financially and emotionally drained. I felt upset and stupid for falling for a conman’s tricks and my mental health has been affected.’
Atkinson, of Porthcawl, South Wales, operated using the company names Protecta Home Improvements and Protecta Design and Build Ltd.
He later went on to use the company name MET Construction Ltd.
Atkinson was jailed for three years and six months in September last year
Atkinson pleaded guilty to eight counts of being a trader knowingly or recklessly engaging in a commercial practice and 24 counts of dishonestly making false representation to make gain for himself or another or causing loss to another or exposing another to risk.
He also admitted one count of carrying on a business of company with intent to defraud creditors or for other fraudulent purpose.
Atkinson was jailed for three years and six months in September last year.
The POCA hearing heard Atkinson’s available assets were £71,250 including half the equity of a house.
Judge Carl Harrison ordered him to pay that sum within three months.
