Roofer operated in ‘reckless manner’

The man behind a failed roofing business managed the company in a ‘‘reckless manner’’, the liquidator says in his first report.

Essential Roofing Limited, run by Christchurch man Macaulay Marchant, went into liquidation on February 15, with outstanding jobs worth thousands of dollars.

Liquidator Imran Kamal said in his first report released on Friday Marchant had a ‘‘significant’’ gambling problem that contributed to a lack of cash flow and some of the decisions made.

‘‘The director managed the affairs of the company in a reckless manner, collecting deposits and monies in advance and not finishing jobs – or even commencing some assignments.’’

Kamal said Essential Roofing did not hold a bank account, with all deposits made into Marchant’s personal bank account.

Kamal earlier said Marchant reported he was gambling about

$50,000 a week and owed about

$400,000 in tax.

The report said no GST, PAYE or income tax returns were filed in the 18 months of trading, leading to the tax debt.

The report said it was too early to determine the extent of the losses to creditors. So far, unsecured creditors were owed about $60,000.

‘‘I’m not a scumbag,’’ earlier told ‘‘I’m not running away. However, I put myself in a pickle. I’m behind and the only thing I’m worried about now is sorting it.’’

He promised to complete outstanding jobs.

The jobs include 77-year-old Mary Jamieson, who hired Marchant to fix a leak in her laundry roof. The ordeal left her with sleepless nights, blaming herself for what happened.

‘‘I’m very annoyed about the money, but I’m more annoyed about the fact he’s destroyed my confidence in myself,’’ she said.

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