Co-worker suffered big loss

A co-worker of Hook’s lost more than £30,000 when he failed to pay him back for subcontracted work and renovations to his home.

Carl Buck, of Pear Tree Avenue, Ditton, was left thousands of pounds out of pocket after he helped the fellow builder on a flat refurbishment in London around eight years ago.

The 46-year-old also rewired and replumbed Hook’s house.

Mr Buck, who owns Communication, Power and Security Limited, cut ties with his former friend after he failed to pay him back for the work.

He did secure £1,000 a month when debt collectors became involved, but repayment stopped after eight months and Mr Buck was forced to write off the debt. The subcontractor said: “Our accountant said we would be spending good money on bad debt. He gives our industry a bad name. We have been going since 2005 and we have never done this.”

The father-of-one and his wife were forced to sell their home and use the equity to pay other tradesman he had contracted to work for Hook.

Mr Buck added: “He nearly sent us down. He has got no morals. I’ve learned there are no mates in business and to check your friends before you work for them.”

To avoid anything like this happening again, he makes sure everyone he does business with pays a deposit before the work starts.

He has only seen Hook once since he lost the money, at a wholesalers.

On leaving, he called to cancel his account with the firm as he didn’t want to be involved with any business associated with Hook.

He added: “It is the only way you can send a message about him.”