WCYT

Recorder Michael Cullum suspended Michael Fulton's prison sentence after hearing he had been offered a £500-a week job which would enable him to compensate his victims.

Fulton, from Brookingfield Close, Plympton, had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to three counts of fraud, and asked for a similar offence in 2007 to be taken into consideration.

Prosecutor Jo Martin said three victims, two from Yealmpton and one from Plymstock, had paid Fulton in advance to replace or repair uPVC doors. But despite repeated phone calls, all they got was excuses that he was having trouble with suppliers.

One woman of 87, who had commissioned Fulton on a personal recommendation, gave him £1,700 to supply and fit a new door. But after nothing was done and after she had spent £68 on fruitless phone calls, she asked her son-in-law to deal with Fulton.

Miss Martin said: "Her son-in-law started to record the calls due to concerns over Fulton's prevarication."
In a victim impact statement, the woman said she had been very cross, at times in tears and that it was "a dreadful thing to do to an old lady".

In 2007, another woman paid Fulton £2,450, but the work was never done and the money not repaid. The total lost by the four victims was £4,600.

Miss Martin said Fulton, 50, had a previous conviction for stealing from a former employer. Nigel Hall, for Fulton, said his client relied on personal recommendations for his private work, and was devastated at the loss of good will. He was full of remorse and not proud of himself, he said.

Mr Hall said Fulton's family was in a precarious position because he was out of work, not receiving benefits and had more than £4,600 in mortgage arrears plus other mounting debts. He had lived in his family home for 27 years and was afraid of losing it, making himself, his wife and their daughter homeless.

"He is worried sick that you will send him to prison today," he told the judge.

Recorder Cullum said Fulton had destroyed the trust of his victims in legitimate tradesmen and had been "dishonest from start to finish".

He jailed him for nine months but suspended the sentence for 12 months, telling Fulton: "This gives you the opportunity to stay out of custody and help keep a roof over the heads of your family."

He also ordered him to do 150 hours of unpaid community work and pay compensation to all four victims, £2,150 within 14 days and the balance within 12 months. He told Fulton: "This is not money they could easily afford to lose."

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