Director of furniture firm jailed for 30 months for fraudulent trading

A DIRECTOR of a Hull pine furniture company has been sentenced to 30 months in jail after 200 people from across the UK and Europe complained about his company.

Ian Lewis McCormack, 29, who ran Robert Dylan Pine, admitted three counts of fraudulent trading, two counts of participating in a fraudulent business operated by a sole trader as Ian McCormack Furniture and Pay on the Day Furniture, and one count of converting criminal property.

Hull Crown Court heard in one case a disabled child was left without a bed to sleep on and in another a business was unable to open. Another director, McCormack’s cousin Steven Watson, 29, who left the business in autumn 2017, and had also admitted three counts of fraudulent trading and one of dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit, was given a 12-month suspended jail sentence.

Judge David Tremberg said they were “very quick” to take large deposits but “wholly unequipped” to meet orders.

Some furniture was of decent standard – but a “significant” amount was not, including items judged “roughly constructed and dangerous” by trading standards.

On many occasions they failed to deliver it at all or only delivered part of it, “fobbing off disgruntled customers with excuses, lies and sometimes unpleasant communications”, the Judge said

Colin Briggs, trading standards manager at East Riding Council said McCormack was a “compulsive liar”. Despite the guilty plea he continued to operate in the same manner, with more people falling victim over the last few months. He said McCormack “knew exactly what he was doing – this was systemic fraud on a national and international level.”

McCormack was disqualifed as a company director for five years and Watson for four years.