Rogue trader ordered to repay victims £56,000

A rogue trader who faked having a brain tumour to avoid justice has been ordered to pay his victims more than £56,000.

David Mason, 43, of Ingleby Barwick, near Middlesbrough, targeted vulnerable people and carried out shoddy repairs to their homes between 2017 and 2018.

He was convicted of conspiring to defraud and perverting the course of justice in 2022 and was made the subject of a confiscation order.

A judge has now ordered Mason to repay £94,019.93, of which £56,072.56 will go to his victims.

Under The Proceeds of Crime Act, investigators can examine bank accounts and property records to uncover how criminals have profited from their actions.

Mason's case was returned to Teesside Crown Court on Friday following an investigation into his financial assets.

If he does not repay the sum within three months he will face an additional 18 months in prison.

Mason carried out offences at properties in North Yorkshire, York, Cleveland and Durham.

One of the victims, an 89-year-old man from Colburn near Catterick, was driven to his bank nine times and made to withdraw his life savings totalling £23,950.

Mason's first trial was abandoned in September 2021 after he faked the symptoms of a brain tumour. An investigation by police and trading standards officers found he had lied about his symptoms.

Greg White, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for trading standards, described Mason's actions as "despicable".

While the impact of the crimes would live with the victims forever, the order at least meant they would receive some financial compensation, he said.

"Ensuring that he did not benefit from his wrongdoing was very important and I am glad to say we have succeeded in that endeavour," Mr White said.

Following his conviction in 2022, Mason was sentenced to a total of eight years and eight months in prison. He was handed five years and eight months for conspiring to defraud and three years for perverting the course of justice.

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