A rogue builder has been jailed after he scammed customers out of nearly £40,000.

Matthew Irvine, 37, has been locked away for nine months after he took thousands of pounds for jobs which he never ended up doing.

Irvine, of Downs Barn in Milton Keynes, traded under the names MK Building Services and MKBC Builders, and at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on September 17 he discovered his sentence.

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The cowboy builder’s most recent scam involved taking £15,000 from a customer to install bi-fold door which he never fitted.

The court heard that Irvine would lie to his victims and tell them he was bankrupt to deter them from taking legal action against him.

The magistrates heard how Irvine had taken a total of £36,789 from his victims, and they ordered him to pay back the amount in full. Once Irvine has the funds available, the council will be able to claim the money back for the victims on their behalf.

Irvine was also sentenced to one month in prison after he admitted four offences under the Trademarks Act 1994 for the production and sale of storage boxes with Nike and Adidas logos on them.

Sue Crawley, MK Council’s Trading Standards manager said: “The actions of this rogue builder were shameful. 

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“He took advantage of his victims for his own financial benefit and then attempted to trick them further by trying to convince them he was bankrupt.  

“Trading Standards are committed to rooting out rogue traders of any kind, and we’ll continue to work hard to protect the residents of Milton Keynes from theses shady practices.”

Cllr Paul Trendall, cabinet member with responsibility for Licensing and Regulatory Services added: “The activities of rogue traders can have a significant financial and emotional effect on consumers. 

“It’s very pleasing to see that justice has been served on this unscrupulous rogue trader, thanks to the hard work of our Trading Standards officers.”

If you’re planning some building work, you can find trading standards approved traders online at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

If you’re concerned about any work you’ve had done, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 (Freephone) for advice.

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