Rogue builder ordered to pay back more than £100,000

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards service has secured £108,085 in compensation for four victims of a rogue builder.

Martin Brain, 52, of Blackhorse Place, Mangotsfield, Bristol, 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 four victims, including two Bath residents, out of £133,000. Brain received a nine-month suspended prison sentence.

Following a Proceeds of Crime hearing, at Bristol Crown Court, 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.

Cllr Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, 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.”