Rogue builder now living in Pembrokeshire ordered to repay £8k after botched driveway

Christopher McFarlane, 48, abandoned a driveway project in Leamington Spa after pocketing £8,000 upfront, leaving the property resembling a “poor‑quality sandpit”. The mess was so severe the victim’s partner, who has mobility issues, sometimes had to be carried over the rubble to leave the house.

McFarlane, now of Mathry near Haverfordwest, concealed the fact he was bankrupt when he took the money in December 2018. He began work in February 2019 but walked away weeks later, never returning. A survey revealed the driveway had to be completely redone, costing the victim more than £16,000.

The couple said in a statement:

“As disabled homeowners, we placed our trust in someone who took advantage of our goodwill at a time when we needed help, not harm.

The stress and disruption caused by McFarlane’s actions have taken a heavy toll over the past five years.

This conviction means a great deal to us. We’re incredibly grateful to the Insolvency Service for their tireless efforts in pursuing this case and securing restorative justice.”

McFarlane failed to attend an interview under caution during the Insolvency Service investigation. He appeared at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on 4 December, where he was handed a two‑year conditional discharge and ordered to repay £8,000 at £500 per month from February 2026. If he fails to pay, he faces arrest and possible imprisonment.

Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

“Christopher McFarlane only revealed his bankrupt status to the victim when he was trying to recoup his losses.

“He made such a mess of the driveway that the victim’s partner had at times to be carried over the rubble when she needed to leave the address.

“The Insolvency Service exists to tackle financial wrongdoing, and protecting the public from those who have previously been unable to repay their debts is a key priority for us.”

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Porthcawl man given 43-month prison sentence
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Rogue builder from Porthcawl jailed for defrauding victims out of thousands

Anderson, who appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday (28 April) was accused of defrauding multiple victims out of thousands of pounds. He was found guilty on four counts of fraud and given four years and eight months prison sentence, reduced to three years and six months.

Anderson was also charged with three ‘Consumer Protection’ offences which resulted in an eight-month custodial sentence, reduced to six months, to be served concurrently. 

Anderson’s wife, Sandra Anderson, who also appeared in court alongside her husband, was charged with possessing criminal property, namely £35,000 from victims, Andrea Booth and Richard Booth. Sandra Anderson received a prison sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to wear an electronic tag with a curfew of 7pm to 6am.

In the case brought by Bridgend County Borough Council, Cardiff Crown Court heard details from each of the six victims, which were powerfully expressed through the victims’ impact statements. Each victim having been friendly and open people who placed their trust in Michael Anderson, only to have been ‘ripped off’ by his sub-par and incomplete building work on their properties.

There were common themes that ran through each of the victims statements; they all felt that Michael Anderson presented as one of their friends and frequently reassured them that they could trust him, each of the victims were physically and emotionally affected by his actions, losing all of their savings and left with damaged properties or paying significant amounts of money to have the poor work completed by Michael Anderson rectified, and all of the victims have lost their friendly and trusting nature. 

The devastating impact of Michael and Sandra Anderson’s actions has left their victims distraught, some with suicidal thoughts, faced with having to sell their dream house, their retirement plans now being replaced with plans of how to manage financial hardship and losses in their family at such a difficult time. 

When sentencing, Judge Eugene Egan, submitted that the defendants left a “trail of misery” through their actions, causing decent and hardworking people emotional and financial distress. The powerful victim impact statements were described by the Judge to be a harrowing listening and reading, Michael Anderson had clearly shattered people’s lives and dreams.

Despite being told in mitigation that Sandra Anderson had limited involvement and was essentially controlled by her husband, the Judge did not accept this. When sentencing Sandra Anderson, he submitted that she was fully aware of what was going on and facilitated her husband’s criminality. He added that Michael Anderson had a reckless disregard for his victims and ripped off decent and hardworking people.

A Proceeds of Crime timetable has been set with the intention of securing compensation for the victims.

Welcoming the outcome of the prosecution, Councillor Hywel Williams, Bridgend Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, said: “Once again, we are frustrated to witness how the fraudulent actions of these individuals has severely impacted their victims in this case.

“I would urge residents be extra careful when choosing traders to work in their homes. And recommend that you look for someone who is a member of a relevant trade association or responsible trader scheme; and always ask to see examples of other work they have carried out. You are also legally allowed to cancel contracts made in your home.

“Rogue traders cause financial and psychological distress to their victims and families, who lose their hard-earned savings on work that is unnecessary, poorly done or incomplete.

“Cases like this seriously affect consumer confidence in the local building trade, but we hope that sentences like the one given on Monday will act as a significant deterrent and demonstrate just how seriously our Shared Regulatory Services team and the courts take these matters.”

#BridgendCouncil #BridgendCountyBoroughCouncil #fraud #Porthcawl #RogueBuilder

In a case brought by Bridgend County Borough Council, Atkinson, of Woodlands Avenue, Porthcawl, was charged with offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. 

The Shared Regulatory Services then investigated Atkinson’s trading practices, and it soon became apparent that he engaged in misleading and fraudulent trading practices in his dealings with customers. 

Using classic rogue trader practices, Atkinson had many reports against him including incomplete work, goods not being ordered, poor workmanship, and failure to obtain necessary planning and building control consents.

Atkinson pleaded guilty to 11 counts of fraud, one count of fraudulent trading and one count of unfair commercial practice.

During the recent sentencing hearing, the court was told of the significant financial detriment the homeowners found themselves in after choosing Paul Atkinson to work at their properties. Victim impact statements were read out in court.

In total, he was sentenced to a total of 43 months imprisonment and a Proceeds of Crime Act timetable has been set, which should include consideration of compensation for the victims.

In sentencing, His Honour Judge Carl Harrison reflected on the Victim Impact Statements provided by the residents affected and highlighted recurring themes within them, noting that it was clear that the offending had a serious detrimental effect on the victims, including emotional and psychological harm as well as financial. 

Cllr Hywel Williams, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance and member of the Shared Regulatory Services Joint Committee said: “The outcome of this case should send out a clear message to all rogue traders that complaints of this nature will be investigated by our Shared Regulatory Service and action will be taken as appropriate.

“The residents have been through an extremely difficult time both personally and financially. I would encourage everyone to visit the SRS website for advice on how to avoid rogue traders and how to report a problem if something goes wrong.

“Particularly given the ongoing national financial pressures, residents should take their time and do their research to find reputable traders for any work.”

Lead image: Some of rogue builder, Paul Atkinson’s unfinished projects (Images: Bridgend County Borough Council)

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/30/porthcawl-man-given-43-month-prison-sentence-in-rogue-builder-case/

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