Builder accused of £2m scam denies running Ponzi scheme

Mark Killick fraud trial hears claims his building firm was a pyramid scheme, with £2m allegedly taken from customers. He denies all charges

Mark Killick fraud trial proceedings at Bristol Crown Court have heard allegations that the 56-year-old Somerset builder ran his company like a pyramid scheme, defrauding customers of more than £2m.

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Killick, of Paulton, denies 46 counts of fraud involving homeowners across the West of England between December 2019 and November 2021.

Prosecutors allege clients paid thousands for building projects that were barely started before Killick vanished.

Under cross-examination, prosecutor James Tucker claimed Killick’s company, TD Cole Ltd, had no staff, no assets, and no premises, despite being marketed as a large, skilled firm offering fixed-price quotes.

Tucker alleged Killick used new customers’ deposits to fund earlier jobs and take personal profit. “A pyramid scheme,” he suggested.

Killick called the claim “completely mental,” insisting cash flow issues and liquidation were due to external factors.

Jurors heard Killick has previous fraud convictions in 2008, 2009, and 2014, for which he served prison time.

He maintained that all money taken was for legitimate business expenses and wages, and claimed customers were “unreasonable” in their demands.

When pressed on missing company accounts, Killick denied any deliberate concealment, saying he intended to complete all projects before circumstances forced work to halt.