LONDON, Dec. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
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Christopher McFarlane has been ordered to pay £8,000 compensation after carrying out sub-standard work on a victim's driveway while concealing his bankrupt status
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McFarlane abandoned the project after three months, leaving the driveway in such a state it cost twice as much to repair and complete
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He only admitted he was bankrupt when the victimattemptedto recover his losses
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The victim and his partner, who have described the "heavy toll" of McFarlane's actions, said they are extremely grateful to the Insolvency Service for prosecuting him
The victim of a rogue builder who botched his newdrivewayhasthanked the Insolvency Service for helpinghimtosecure compensation.
ChristopherMcFarlaneleft hisvictim more than £16,000 out of pocketwhenheabandonedthejob, leavingthe drivewayresemblinga "poor-quality sandpit".
It was so badthat the victim's partner, who suffers with mobility issues,struggled togetinorout of the propertyin Leamington Spafor several months.
McFarlane, 48,has now been ordered by the courts to repay £8,000 to thevictim, after it wasdiscoveredhe hid his bankruptcy before requesting the money upfront.
In a statement followingMcFarlane'ssentencing, thecouplesaid:
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'reincredibly grateful to the Insolvency Service for their tireless efforts in pursuing this case and securing restorative justice.
We hope this outcome shows others in similar situations that it's worth doing the right thing, keeping records, and speaking up - action can be taken when people break the law.
McFarlane, previously of Leamington Spa, but now living in Pembrokeshire, was declared bankrupt in October 2018
Individuals subject to a bankruptcy order mustdisclosetheir statusto customers and anyone elseif they borrow or obtain credit of £500 or more.
However, that December, McFarlane sent the victim a quote for work onhisdriveway of £11,000, with £8,000requiredupfront.
The victimmade two payments totalling £8,000 to McFarlane on Christmas Eve. The money went into the account of a company which traded as a licensed barwhichMcFarlane had connections to.
McFarlane beganthe projectin February2019,but the victim soon noticed issues with the quality of hiswork.
After raising concerns in March, McFarlane never turned up again.
A survey carried out in April revealed the driveway would have to be completely redone.
It was only when the victim gave McFarlane the opportunity to rectify his work that he revealed he was bankrupt.
The victim employed another builder to complete and repair the driveway at a cost of more than £16,000.
Healso tried civil mediation and even offered McFarlane paid work to give him the means topay backthe moneyto no avail.
McFarlanefailed toattend an interview under caution following Insolvency Service investigations into his behaviour.
Hewasordered to pay £8,000 in compensationand handeda two-year conditional dischargewhen he appeared at Coventry Magistrates' Court onThursday4 December.
The48-year-old must makepaymentsat a rate of £500 per monthstarting in February2026. If hefails todo this, the courts will arrange for his arrest, and hecould faceimprisonment.
Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:
Christopher McFarlane only revealedhis bankrupt statusto the victimwhenhewastrying to recouphislosses.
He made such a mess of the driveway that the victim's partner hadat times,to be carried over the rubblewhenshe needed to leavethe 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.
Further information
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Christopher McFarlane is of Mathry, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. His date of birth is 10 September 1977
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Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct
About us
The Insolvency Service is a government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors.
The Insolvency Service is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade.
Read more about what we do
Press Office
Journalists with enquiries can call the Insolvency Service Press Office on 0303 003 1743 or email press.office@insolvency.gov.uk (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
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Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
