At Chijos News, we report UK news with a strong diaspora lens, helping families understand the systems meant to protect them and the risks that can quietly turn lives upside down. This case from the Midlands is a stark reminder of why consumer protection laws matter, especially for migrant and diaspora households investing their life savings into homes across the UK.
A bankrupt builder from Derby has been sentenced to prison after illegally obtaining more than £400,000 from homeowners for home improvement projects he failed to complete. Nigel Dinneen, aged 72, was jailed for 12 months at Derby Crown Court on Thursday 15 January after admitting he took large advance payments from multiple victims while concealing the fact that he had been declared bankrupt.
Dinneen, of Duesbury Court in Mickleover, was made bankrupt in July 2019. Under UK law, anyone who is bankrupt must disclose their status if they borrow or obtain credit of £500 or more. Prosecutors told the court that Dinneen repeatedly ignored this legal obligation, securing deposits and advance payments from five victims across the Midlands.
“We Have Lost Five Years of Being a Family”
One of Dinneen’s first victims, a fire and security contracts manager from Leicester, described how the builder appeared eager and professional when he signed a contract for a £40,000 home extension in the summer of 2019. At no point did Dinneen reveal his bankrupt status when taking the advance payment.
Work on the property soon stalled, with conditions deteriorating rapidly as Christmas approached. The victim told the court that the impact on his family was devastating, saying they had lost five years of normal family life. His children were forced to sleep on the floor among building materials, while the back of the house was sealed with a tarpaulin to keep out cold and rain.
He explained that the family will be repaying debt incurred to repair and complete the work until 2029, missing out on evenings, weekends and memories while trying to finish the home themselves through DIY.
Multiple Victims Across the Midlands
Investigators found that across five separate projects, Dinneen obtained a total of £414,594 in advance payments without disclosing his bankruptcy. One victim, a healthcare worker, hired him in December 2019 to demolish a garage and build a two-storey extension at a property in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire. As problems mounted, the homeowner was left juggling building disputes while working on the Covid frontline.
The unfinished project caused serious issues with neighbours, including overflowing skips attracting rodents. The victim eventually dismissed Dinneen with the work still incomplete.
In another case, almost £90,000 was taken between May 2019 and September 2020 for a two-storey extension in Nuneaton. A fourth victim in Loughborough paid more than £75,000 in advance for an extension and bathroom conversion, again unaware that the builder was bankrupt. Dinneen’s final victim handed over nearly £50,000 in December 2019 for a large rear extension at a bungalow in Market Bosworth.
Lying to Authorities and Hidden Bank Accounts
The court also heard that Dinneen committed perjury by lying to the Official Receiver, the court-appointed official responsible for investigating bankruptcies. Enquiries revealed that he had several bank accounts he failed to declare, including the account into which victims paid their money.
David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said the case highlighted the serious harm caused when bankruptcy laws are ignored. He told the court that Dinneen had ruined lives, drained people’s savings and left families living in what could only be described as unliveable conditions.
He added that bankruptcy rules exist to protect the public and that the Insolvency Service will not hesitate to pursue criminal prosecutions against those who obtain credit illegally while bankrupt.
Why This Matters to Diaspora Families
For many diaspora households in the UK, home improvement projects represent years of saving, sacrifice and trust. This case underlines the importance of carrying out checks on contractors, understanding consumer rights, and being aware that bankruptcy laws are designed to prevent exactly this kind of harm.
At Chijos News, we continue to highlight stories that help communities stay informed, protected and empowered. As this case shows, the consequences of financial misconduct can be life-changing, and knowing your rights can make all the difference.
