Norwich: Builder accused of fraud ‘didn’t take cash and run'

Mark Bye, of Britannia Road in Norwich, is on trial over claims that he took large deposits from homeowners then repeatedly invoiced for further payments despite work falling behind schedule or not taking place at all.

The prosecution has been brought by Norfolk Trading Standards who carried out an investigation into the activities of Mark Bye & Sons Ltd.

Work allegedly left finished at the home of Kirsti Paul (Image: Archant)

In his summing up Matthew McNiff KC, representing the builder, accused prosecutors of making unsubstantiated claims that were “flights of fantasy”.

He told the jury at King’s Lynn Crown Court on Monday: “The prosecution have made huge claims but at every stage have not offered you the evidence that you deserve.”

He said during a trial, which has so far lasted almost a month, Mr Bye had been portrayed as an “unscrupulous, fast thinking, gift of the gab, cowboy builder”.

But he added: “He didn’t take the money and run. He ordered and paid for materials, he employed and paid men and he did work, some of which was finished or near finished.” 

The court has heard from a series of former consumers who complained that they had paid tens of thousands of pounds, in some cases more than £50,000, but were unhappy with building work not being completed or not being done to the required standard.

One couple were falsely told £7,000 had been used to purchase a new kitchen when it was never bought.

Jojo Pazhayattil who complained about work by Mark Bye on the loft conversion at his house in Costessey (Image: Archant)

During nine hours of cross examination, Mr Bye had claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy and accused trading standards of approaching former customers to find people who were unhappy with his work.

Mr McNiff said: “There are allegations made by a group of people who are not independent. You have heard about a conspiracy but this is not a conspiracy theory, this is about a man about whom things have been said that are simply not true.”

Mr Bye denies fraudulent trading and unfair commercial practice contravening the requirements of professional diligence.

His son Jack Bye was cleared of the same charges earlier on the direction of the judge.

The trial continues.