A rogue kitchen fitter from South Gloucestershire who was jailed earlier this year has been ordered to repay over £103,000 to his victims.
James Brown, 56, of Longwell Green, was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Bristol Crown Court in June after admitting 19 counts of theft.
On 4 December, the court subsequently ordered Brown to repay £103,662 under the Proceeds of Crime Act, funded by the sale of his £450,000 home. He must also pay £25,000 towards prosecution costs.
The offences, committed through his companies JR Brown Interior Installations Ltd and Brown & Son Interiors Ltd, left 19 customers out of pocket for kitchens and bathrooms they paid for but never received.
South Gloucestershire Trading Standards launched an investigation after receiving multiple complaints in 2023. Customers reported paying large sums upfront for kitchen installations, only for work to be delayed, or abandoned altogether.
Brown later claimed illness before his company entered liquidation, leaving customers owed £85,000. Further checks revealed similar behaviour under his previous business in 2018 and 2019.
In addition to the theft charges an investigation was also conducted into Brown under the Proceeds of Crime Act which involved a restraint order being secured on his property in Longwell Green.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “This case shows that we won’t stop until rogue traders are fully investigated and prosecuted. Offenders risk not only losing their liberty but also their assets as we use the full force of the law to ensure victims are fully compensated. We will always look to take robust action against this type of offending to protect our residents’ legal rights.”
Anyone wishing to report rogue trading can call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.
