A CARLISLE tradesman banned from working on other people’s homes following his conviction for fraud offences did exactly that – after being encouraged to set up his own business by Probation staff.

Ralph Brook, 49, was given a 43-month jail term in 2021 for defrauding a 96-year-old dementia sufferer in Kendal. He fleeced the man out of more than £5,000, an earlier court hearing was told.

Brook’s sentence included a strict 10-year criminal behaviour order, banning him from doing building work for anybody but himself.

The order specifically prohibited him from approaching householders in England and Wales and offering to carry out work on their homes and from working at any dwelling other than his own.

Yet a communication mix-up meant that, after his release from jail, probation officials were seemingly unaware of the court order – and so they referred Brook to Inspira, an employability and skills organisation.

Its staff provided funding and advice that allowed Brook to set up his own business and thereby flout the court order. The breach came to light when police in Carlisle were alerted to a “suspicious” bank transaction in March, prosecutor Brendan Burke told the city’s crown court.

It involved a payment of £5,000 from the householder for whom Brook was working. Brook, of Tullie Street, Carlisle, admitted flouting his criminal behaviour order.

The householder had asked Brook to install a new bathroom and radiators. Encouraged by probation staff, he had acquired new skills and was helped to advertise his services as a heating and plumbing engineer.

Sarah Hussell, for Brook, outlined how, with Probation Service encouragement, Brook was advised about self-employment and financial management and, through Inspira, sent to Glasgow to take a gas safety course.

There was also advice given to him on public liability insurance. He was even provided with business cards, said Miss Hussell.

The barrister said: “It’s Mr Brook’s position that his understanding of the [criminal behaviour] order was confused by the activities of the Probation Service staff who were assisting him. He naturally assumed that Probation staff were aware of the full sentence, including the criminal behaviour order."

Brook did not seek out the customer he worked for and his payment arrived by an easily payable bank transfer. “The work done by Mr Brook was completed to a high standard,” said the barrister.

The barrister added that the offence was the product of an ongoing misunderstanding, which was encouraged by probation staff as they helped the defendant to learn new skills.

Judge Ian Unsworth KC described the case as “highly unusual.” He noted that Brook’s customer had declined to make a witness statement and appeared to be content with the work that was done.

The judge said: “As a matter of fact, the officer of the Probation Service supported and encouraged him as part of his rehabilitation programme, in respect of which the defendant reacted extremely well.

“The work he was carrying out was in accordance with what he was encouraged to do.” Despite this, Brook had admitted the offence.

The judge pointed out that the defendant could at a future point apply to have his criminal behaviour order altered or discharged. It was abundantly clear, said the judge, that the Probation Service do outstanding work on society’s behalf.

The service’s staff were dedicated public servants.

But on this occasion the officer involved had been unaware of the criminal behaviour order and offered the advice given to Brook in good faith and it was to Brook’s credit that he did not use this to justify his actions.

Noting that the offence caused no harm or distress, the judge imposed a community order which includes 15 rehabilitation activity days and 40 hours of unpaid work.

In the 2021 case, the court heard that Brook, then living at Brough, near Kirkby Stephen, tricked the Kendal pensioner into believing he’d carried out work on his gutters and required payment.

No such work was done. 

He was caught out after the victim’s daughter installed a secret camera at her father’s home. It recorded Brook saying to the pensioner “well you normally keep your chequebook here”, while his daughter also watched footage of the unwanted visitor checking the pockets of a jacket.