Bankrupt took hundreds of thousands ‘to build retirement home’ – Estate Agent Today

A bankrupt builder from Devon persuaded pensioners to pay him 271,000 to construct a home – but his poor workmanship has led to the couple having to live in a caravan.

James Prentice was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay compensation of 4,500 to his victims.

Exeter Crown Court heard Prentice was declared bankrupt in December 2014 and although he could continue working as a builder through his company, JSP Woodworx, the terms of his Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking meant he could not take more than 500 as a deposit from clients without disclosing he was a bankrupt.