THE successful prosecution and imprisonment of a fraudulent Darwen builder who deprived people of their life savings will be highlighted at the full borough Council Forum on Thursday.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for housing Yusuf Jan-Virmani will open his report to colleagues with details of the the Trading Standards case.

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In March, Derek Alan Bradshaw, 52, trading from Cavendish Street, Darwen, under the name Builddex, pleaded guilty to fraud and bankruptcy offences.

He was sentenced for 27 months in prison by Judge Christopher Cornwall at Preston Crown Court for the fraud.

Bradshaw was also sentenced to 12 months, to run concurrently, for an offence under the Insolvency Act 1986.

Cllr Jan-Virmani will tell colleagues the case was brought following a ‘major investigation’ by the borough’s Trading Standards Department.

Builddex operated between 2009 and 2012.

Bradshaw gained the trust of householders by representing himself as reputable, trustworthy and competent.

Coun Jan-Virmani’s report reveals: “He would promise his clients he would do work but charge the money up front and owed between £36,000 to £38,000 for work not carried out.”