A man who set up five fake companies to illegally gain over £175,000 has been jailed.
James Simpson Taylor, 57, of Ivy Green Drive, Oldham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, five counts of fraudulent trading, and making an article for use in fraud.
He was sentenced yesterday, 15 August, to 36 months in prison at Manchester Crown Court.
Between 2014 and 2015 Taylor set up five companies selling replacement conservatory roofs. He arranged for advertisements in the national press, magazines and the internet, attracting large numbers of enquiries from customers all over the country, many of whom were elderly.
Taylor agreed to work and took deposits from customers, usually between £1000 to £2000, but he failed to carry out the required work for all but a handful of customers. Within a short time of his company taking the deposits, it then stopped trading and Taylor set up a fresh company and repeated the process.
Taylor employed salesmen and surveyors who all believed they were working for legitimate companies and many of whom are still owed money for work they carried out.
In total, he defrauded customers of more than £175,000.
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