Key Takeaways
- Mark Killick, a prolific cowboy builder, has been jailed for 14 years for defrauding 37 customers out of over £1.25m.
- Killick, who used multiple aliases, failed to complete building work despite receiving payments upfront, causing "serious and ongoing" harm to his victims.
- The court heard that Killick spent thousands of pounds on luxury goods, including a £25,000 Rolex watch, and used Covid bounceback loans to fund his own expenses.
- Killick has a history of fraud convictions, with this being his fourth conviction since 2008, and has been subject to multiple custodial sentences.
- Victims of Killick’s scams have found support in a WhatsApp group and have been able to claim refunds from their banks using a financial code.
Introduction to the Case
The case of Mark Killick, a cowboy builder who defrauded 37 customers out of over £1.25m, has been widely reported in the media. Killick, who used multiple aliases, including Marc Cole and Mark Jenkins, was jailed for 14 years for his crimes. The court heard that Killick failed to complete building work despite receiving payments upfront, causing "serious and ongoing" harm to his victims. In this article, we will explore the details of Killick’s case, including his history of fraud convictions and the impact on his victims.
The Trial and Sentencing
Killick’s five-month trial at Bristol Crown Court heard that he had defrauded 37 customers between 2019 and 2021. The prosecution highlighted Killick’s spending on luxury goods, including a £25,000 Rolex watch, which he claimed was an asset for his failing business. The court also heard that Killick used Covid bounceback loans to fund his own expenses, including buying luxury watches. Judge Moira Macmillan sentenced Killick to 14 years in prison, stating that he had caused "serious and ongoing" harm to his victims and that his actions were "truly shocking".
The Impact on Victims
The impact of Killick’s actions on his victims cannot be overstated. Many of those defrauded, including Stephen Gledhill from Bristol, gave evidence against Killick in court. Gledhill paid Killick £18,000 in advance for a new kitchen, but the work was never completed. He described feeling "angry" and "sad" about the situation, but also felt that Killick had "behaved in a way without any kind of real indication that he cares". Many of Killick’s victims found support in a WhatsApp group, where they were able to share their experiences and receive advice from financial fraud investigator Richard Emery.
Killick’s History of Fraud
Killick’s conviction is not his first for fraud. He has a history of fraud convictions, with this being his fourth conviction since 2008. In 2014, he was convicted of defrauding 42 victims out of £573,000. Killick has also been subject to multiple custodial sentences, including three for unspecified crimes in the 1990s. The court heard that Killick had a "decades-long" criminal record, and that he had been handed a 12-year Bankruptcy Restriction Order in 2006, which prevented him from getting more than £500 credit without revealing the order.
The Financial Code and Refunds
Many of Killick’s victims have been able to claim refunds from their banks using a financial code. The code, which is in place to protect consumers from fraud, means that banks must reimburse customers who have paid money for a legitimate purpose that turns out to be fraudulent. Financial fraud investigator Richard Emery provided advice to Killick’s victims, helping them to claim refunds from their banks. Emery stated that the code applies when someone pays money for what they believe is a legitimate purpose, but which turns out to be fraudulent, and that the victim does not have to prove that the bank did anything wrong.
Conclusion
The case of Mark Killick is a shocking example of the harm that can be caused by cowboy builders and fraudsters. Killick’s actions have left his victims with significant financial losses and emotional trauma. However, thanks to the support of a WhatsApp group and the advice of financial fraud investigator Richard Emery, many of Killick’s victims have been able to claim refunds from their banks. The case highlights the importance of being vigilant when dealing with builders and contractors, and the need for consumers to be aware of their rights and the financial codes in place to protect them.