Trio jailed for home improvement scams targeting vulnerable people
A husband and wife have been jailed for conning dozens of vulnerable people into paying thousands for unnecessary improvements.
Adrian Hillman, 44, his wife Rebecca Hillman, 46, and their business associate Philip Farrington, 62, were found guilty of 34 offences under the Companies Act 2006, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Following an eight-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, the trio were jailed for their part in running a fraudulent home improvement company based in Stourport-on-Severn, in Wyre Forest.
The court heard how Hillman and his wife, both of Severn Side, in Stourport, and Farrington, of Broomy Close, in Stourport, all played their part in conning members of the public.
The work was often mis-sold, of no benefit or simply never carried out at all, the court heard.
The court heard from more than 45 witnesses who had paid around £208,000 – but had never had the work completed or their money returned.
The majority of the victims were based in the Midlands, including in Birmingham, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
On Wednesday, Judge HHJ Mukherjee described Hillman as a “thoroughly dishonest businessman” – before sentencing him to five years in prison for a total of 12 guilty offences.
Rebecca Hillman was found guilty of eight offences and sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Farrington was found guilty of 10 offences and received a 21 month sentence suspended for two years and a four-year directorship ban.
Energenie Shield UK Ltd, one of the two companies used to carry out their activity was ordered to pay a fine of £8,000.
