Hapless Fawlty Towers-like builder faces jail

A builder compared to a hapless Fawlty Towers character faces jail after being found guilty of obtaining money by deception.

Martin Gumbrell, 53, of Bournemouth, was found guilty of two charges of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception between 2001 and 2005 following complaints by a stream of clients.

Gumbrell lied to customers, claiming he had a degree in building, had won awards for his work and was a member of the National House Building Council.

Dorset police fraud investigator Paul Sullivan told the court: “Gumbrell lied over and over again, treating his victims with callous disregard.

“He lied about his experience, his qualifications and the quality and quantity of his workforce, leaving a train of broken promises, shattered dreams and misery behind him.

“He was very much like the O’Reilly character off Fawlty Towers and was a bit of a Walter Mitty because he believed he was such a good builder. He is a dreadful man.”

Gumbrell’s incompetence was uncovered when he was commissioned to build homes for two clients in the Dorset countryside and in Poole harbour.

The Dorset home was supposed to take 14 months to complete, but was still under construction four years after the start date.

Errors during building caused the home to flood and collapse, while a workshop next to the home was blown down by strong winds because it was built too high without sufficient support.

The second home also ran over schedule. Bournemouth Crown Court heard that electrics were botched, the roof was not secured property and a support under the balcony was missing.

The couple ended up sacking Gumbrell and forking out £450,000 to finish the home, reported the Times.

Gumbrell had claimed he gained his experience working for major companies and on major projects in Saudi Arabia.

After being found guilty, he was released by the court on unconditional bail to be sentenced next month.