In a startling case that has rocked the local community and ignited discussions about fraud prevention within the construction industry, Mark Killick, a notorious cowboy builder, has been sentenced to a significant 14 years in prison for defrauding his clients of over £1.25 million. The convictions stem from Killick’s unscrupulous activities, where he exploited 37 victims between the years of 2019 and 2021. The case was tried at Bristol Crown Court, where Judge Moira Macmillan highlighted the severe and ongoing damage that Killick’s fraudulent schemes inflicted on his victims, leaving their homes in a “truly shocking” state.
Mark Killick, 49 years old and hailing from Paulton in North East Somerset, operated under multiple aliases, notably “Marc Cole” and “Mark Jenkins,” while conducting his unlawful business activities under the trading name “TD Cole.” His methods involved accepting substantial upfront payments from unsuspecting customers, only to abandon the promised work without completing the jobs for which he had been hired. Throughout his fraudulent career, Killick demonstrated a pattern of deceit that further evidenced his lack of remorse towards his victims.
During the trial, which spanned five months, jurors were presented with compelling evidence of Killick’s lavish lifestyle, including his purchases of luxury items such as a £25,000 Rolex watch. This watch was described as an asset for his failing business, raising questions about the prioritization of personal luxury over customer obligations. The prosecution argued that this not only showed his blatant disregard for the financial well-being of his clients but also illustrated a trapdoor for organizational chaos involving financial transactions across multiple accounts.
In total, the evidence presented by dozens of victims made it clear how deeply these fraudulent actions devastated lives. Victims detailed how Killick’s unfinished building work disrupted their lives, rendering their homes uninhabitable and causing acute financial distress. For each client that came forward, the financial toll varied, but collectively, they testified to enduring unbearable hardships due to Killick’s negligence.
Despite being found not guilty of one count and the jury failing to reach verdicts on eight others, Killick’s history of fraud speaks volumes. This case marked Killick’s fourth conviction for fraud since 2008, and authorities have estimated that the losses incurred by his victims exceeded £1.25 million. This alarming pattern suggests a troubling trend of re-offending, which led Judge Macmillan to deliver an extensive sentencing that reflected the seriousness of Killick’s offenses.
The judge’s comments during sentencing drew attention to Killick’s exploitation of the construction needs that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, contrasting his behavior with that of others in the industry who adhered to ethical standards. The police and Trading Standards had received over 100 complaints against him during the timeframe of 2019 to 2021, which only underscores the scale of his fraudulent operations.
In addition to his prison sentence, Killick will be subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) for five years after his release, anticipating that the order will effectively bar him from participating in the construction trade again under any name aside from Marc Cole. Furthermore, he has received a remarkable 15-year disqualification from acting as a company director.
One of the victims, Stephen Gledhill from Bristol, expressed a complicated mix of emotions regarding Killick’s fate, feeling both anger and a strange sense of pity for someone who had made such poor choices without apparent concern for the implications of his actions. Killick’s claim during the trial that he intended to complete outstanding jobs was met with skepticism, especially given his extensive criminal history that included a Bankruptcy Restriction Order and multiple convictions for various fraudulent activities.
The case shines a light on the need for enhanced regulatory measures within the building industry to protect consumers from rogue traders who take advantage of vulnerabilities, especially during crises like the pandemic. Moving forward, both the legal system and the construction industry must reconsider the safeguards in place to prevent such exploitation from recurring in the future.
