Rogue builder scams £150,000 from clients, leaving trails of unfinished work
Paul Atkinson operated under a number of company names and after deposits had been transferred he would become difficult to reach, would ignore requests for refunds, and would make subtle threats when customers wrote bad reviews
A rogue builder has been accused of swindling his customers out of nearly £150,000 by taking deposits for work he never completed. Paul Atkinson, 45, from Porthcawl, allegedly left one customer contemplating suicide and others in financial distress while he enjoyed lavish holidays and golf trips.
Atkinson reportedly pocketed the funds sent to him by clients who hired him to build extensions and orangeries on their properties. However, once the money was transferred, he became elusive, ignored refund requests, and subtly threatened those who posted negative reviews.
During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Atkinson operated under the company names Protecta Home Improvements, Protecta Design and Build Ltd, and later MET Construction Ltd. His website falsely claimed the company had offices in Bridgend, Cardiff, Swansea, and Bristol.
Images on the site supposedly showcasing Atkinson's work were also fabricated.
Prosecutor David Elias KC stated that Atkinson initially appeared "open, professional, and knowledgeable about what he was going to do" and communication was "prompt". However, after receiving the deposits, Atkinson would seldom respond to messages and would make excuses for work being delayed, reports Wales Online.
The work that was carried out was substandard, and in many instances, had to be removed and corrected at a significant cost.
When pressed for refunds, the fraudster would offer a litany of excuses and propose repayment in instalmentsa promise he never fulfilled. Despite Protecta Design and Build Ltd entering liquidation in 2022, Atkinson shamelessly continued to accept deposits without informing his clients of the company's defunct status.
In retaliation for negative online reviews, he would brazenly demand their removal with the threat that no refunds would be issued otherwise.
Mr Elias revealed that Atkinson swindled a staggering £147,500 from his customers between September 1, 2019, and July 30, 2022, squandering the ill-gotten gains on lavish foreign holidays and golfing jaunts. He siphoned funds from the business into his personal account and that of his wife.
Heart-wrenching victim impact statements disclosed to the court detailed the profound emotional and psychological toll exacted by Atkinson's deceit. One family, already grappling with their daughter's health issues, found themselves working overtime, scrapping holidays, and deprived of precious time to care for her due to the financial strain he caused.
Another couple lamented the loss of an inheritance spent on a phantom extension, with one partner confessing: "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."
Numerous customers voiced their dissatisfaction, citing instances where trenches were dug in their gardens, only to be left to collect water, effectively isolating them from the rest of their outdoor space. Some were even forced to remortgage their homes to provide Atkinson with deposits, yet were left with nothing to show for it.
The defendant's demeanour was described as "arrogant and aggressive" once payment had been made.
One victim recounted receiving veiled threats to remove social media posts, with the warning that failure to comply would result in no refund. Another victim shared the emotional toll of the experience, stating: "It brought me a lot of stress and it's been hard on my relationship with my partner. I found it hard to cope, felt angry and depressed, and felt like I should end my own life."
A woman described her distressing experience, having hired the defendant to build an extension to accommodate her son's complex medical needs. However, when she was unable to contact Atkinson and requested a refund, he appeared at her home, visibly angry.
The unfinished work left a trench in her garden, forcing her to carry her son in his wheelchair just to access their car at the rear of the property. She expressed her deepest concern, saying: "What upset me most was he knew how dependent we were on the garden."
Atkinson, from Woodland Avenue, admitted to eight counts of knowingly or recklessly engaging in a commercial practice as a trader, 24 counts of dishonestly making false representation for personal gain or causing loss to others, and one count of running a business with the intent to defraud creditors or for other fraudulent purposes.
In his defence, Thomas Crowther KC stated that Atkinson was dealing with cashflow issues and rising costs which had eaten into his profits. He added that Atkinson had intended to repay people but was "overwhelmed by commercial pressures".
The court was informed that Atkinson helps care for his parents and his father-in-law who has a serious condition, and his company employs four individuals with young families.
During sentencing, Judge Carl Harrison remarked: "You said you didn't care about your customers and the effect upon them... You repeatedly took money from them and provided nothing in return."
Atkinson received a total sentence of 43 months imprisonment. He will serve half the sentence in custody before being released to serve the remainder on licence.
