Mechanic gets suspended sentence for defrauding cash-strapped customer

Belfast man ordered to pay compensation after admitting to charging for uncompleted car repairs

Mechanic gets suspended sentence for defrauding cash-strapped customer
Image: Bigstock

A mechanic in Northern Ireland has narrowly avoided jail after admitting to defrauding a customer. Mark Cairns (40) took £480 from the victim in December 2021 for car repairs that were never done.

The court in Belfast heard Cairns has a previous conviction for fraud and a poor driving record. However, his lawyer argued that Cairns has faced personal difficulties, including his father’s dementia diagnosis and his own struggle to maintain housing.

Despite these challenges, Judge Amanda Henderson was critical of Cairns’ actions, saying:

“You have been convicted of a really mean offence. You were working on the victim’s behalf who could not afford to keep paying you this money.

​“You have a driving record and a history of fraud, these matters have been outstanding for four years and I want the victim paid as soon as possible. You have your family to consider Mr Cairns and you need to think about them.”

Cairns received a four-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to the victim.

Source: Belfast Telegraph

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