A man known as a “cowboy builder” has been sentenced to prison for deceiving a family into paying £100,000 for a home extension that was never completed, leaving the property in disrepair.
Michael Parr, now 55, was entrusted with £98,000 by Andy Clarke, 46, and his wife Lisa Clark, 43, to construct a fifth bedroom and an additional bathroom, involving the addition of a new floor and roof replacement. However, Parr abruptly ceased work after three months, leaving the home unfinished, covered in scaffolding, and exposed to the elements.
The distressed couple from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, had to hire another company and spend an extra £150,000 to complete the project. They attribute the stress of the situation to a miscarriage Lisa, a teacher, suffered amid the chaos.
Parr was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Nottingham Crown Court on October 3. Andy expressed his dismay, stating, “The situation was extremely stressful, and it likely contributed to the miscarriage we experienced.”
Andy and Lisa first engaged Parr in January 2019, impressed by his portfolio and positive client feedback. They agreed on a £106,900 contract, funding the renovation by remortgaging their property. Despite regular payments, Parr’s team became sporadic in their visits, offering various excuses before disappearing entirely in July 2019.
After facing legal threats from Andy, Parr promised completion by December 17, but failed to deliver. A survey revealed only 30% of the work was done, with half requiring redoing due to poor quality. The couple had to borrow additional funds and use savings to finish the project by August 2022.
Investigations revealed Parr defrauded other victims, leading to his admission of guilt for two counts of fraud. Nottinghamshire Police emphasized their commitment to combating fraud and bringing offenders to justice.
Andy expressed relief after Parr’s sentencing, hoping it would deter other scammers. Detective Constable Carl Miller acknowledged the victims’ cooperation in exposing Parr’s crimes and emphasized the severity of fraud offenses, assuring robust action against perpetrators.