A PROFESSIONAL joiner from Cheshire, who stole more than £20,000 by taking deposits for furniture he never delivered, has been sentenced.
Allan Kenneth Barke, who also used the name Allan Kenneth Bradley, ran CFF Joinery, a bespoke furniture company that was originally based in London Road, Macclesfield.
Between June and October 2016, he took deposits totalling £22,970 from 19 customers across Cheshire and Greater Manchester for a variety of different items.
Despite taking significant deposits of up to £3,300, none of the furniture was ever delivered.
The fraudulent activity was reported to Cheshire Police, and investigated by Detective Constable Paul Cundy of Northwich CID.
Barke was charged with, and pleaded guilty to 22 counts of fraud by false representation.