Bankrupt builder botched driveway leaving disabled couple out of pocket

A builder who travelled from Haverfordwest to Leamington Spa to carry out driveway work for a disabled couple has been convicted after taking £16,000 upfront and leaving behind what they described as a “poor-quality sandpit”.

Christopher McFarlane, 48, concealed his bankrupt status when he quoted the trusting couple £11,000 for the work, requesting £8,000 upfront. The couple made two payments totalling £8,000 on Christmas Eve, which went into the account of a licensed bar McFarlane had connections to.

McFarlane, previously of Leamington Spa but now of Mathry in Haverfordwest, was declared bankrupt in October 2018. Under law, individuals subject to bankruptcy orders must disclose their status when obtaining credit of £500 or more—but McFarlane failed to do so.

The builder began work in February 2019, but the couple quickly noticed serious quality issues. After they raised concerns in March, McFarlane never returned to the site. A survey conducted in April revealed the driveway would need to be completely redone.

It was only when the couple gave McFarlane the opportunity to rectify his shoddy work that he finally revealed he was bankrupt. The botched job left the drive in such horrendous condition that the couple had to pay more than £16,000—twice the original quote—to repair and complete it properly.

In a victim statement, the couple said: “As disabled homeowners we placed our trust in someone who took advantage of our goodwill at a time when we needed help, not harm. The stress and disruption caused by McFarlane’s actions have taken a heavy toll over the past five years. This conviction means a great deal to us. We’re incredibly grateful to the Insolvency Service for their tireless efforts in pursuing this case and securing restorative justice. We hope this outcome shows others in similar situations that it’s worth doing the right thing, keeping records, and speaking up—action can be taken when people break the law.”

The couple tried civil mediation and even offered McFarlane paid work to give him the means to repay the money, but to no avail.

McFarlane failed to attend an interview under caution following Insolvency Service investigations into his behaviour. He appeared at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 4, where he was ordered to pay £8,000 in compensation and handed a two-year conditional discharge. He must make payments to his victim at a rate of £500 per month starting in February 2026.

Mark Stephens, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said after sentencing: “Christopher McFarlane only revealed his bankrupt status to the victim when he was trying to recoup his losses. He made such a mess of the driveway that the victim’s partner had at times, to be carried over the rubble when she needed to leave the address. The Insolvency Service exists to tackle financial wrongdoing, and protecting the public from those who have previously been unable to repay their debts is a key priority for us.”