A 49-year-old man from Brandon has been sentenced to 19 months in prison at Durham Crown Court, County Durham, after conning 24 local people out of more than £31,000. Mark Thirkell, who ran a business called AKM Rendering, took money for home improvements that he either never started or failed to finish between March 2020 and February 2022.
According to Durham County Council, Thirkell asked for deposits for materials but often failed to return to do the work. He used excuses like a broken-down van or hospital appointments to explain the delays while refusing to give any money back.
The fraud affected many people in the community, including one resident who lost £10,000. The Wheatley Hill Scout Group also lost £2,713 that was meant for fixing up their local hall.
During the sentencing on February 12, 2026, Judge Richard Bennett described Thirkell as thoroughly dishonest. The judge noted that the trader showed a lack of empathy and insight for the people he had conned.
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