Rogue builders operating as N&K Kitchens Ltd have swindled various customers out of almost £125,000 by performing subpar and incomplete work, leaving homes in disarray. The directors of the company, Nicky Middleton, aged 31, and Kyle Middleton, aged 29, have been found guilty of leaving an intensive care nurse’s house in a dangerous state, resembling a construction site and exposed to the elements. The pair established N&K Kitchens Ltd in 2018, purportedly to undertake kitchen renovations. However, their modus operandi involved underquoting, failing to meet deadlines, providing poor workmanship, and collecting payments for uncompleted or unsatisfactorily completed jobs.
During a sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, it was disclosed that the Middleton brothers attempted to evade accountability by dissolving the company when Rhondda Cynon Taf council initiated an investigation. Nevertheless, legal measures thwarted this move, and both perpetrators were held responsible for the company’s unlawful actions. Notably, an independent assessor identified severe structural issues at the rear of a property, warning of an impending collapse. Among the unfortunate victims of N&K Kitchens Ltd’s malpractice is intensive care nurse Catherine Lewis, who engaged the company to renovate her dwelling in July 2020.
Catherine Lewis had envisioned transforming her residence into a dream home but encountered a nightmare instead. The project stalled, leaving her household vulnerable with a gaping crack in a wall and subsequent structural damage. The distressing ordeal forced Ms. Lewis to take a leave of absence from work due to stress and anxiety caused by the dire situation at her home. Expressing her anguish through a victim personal statement in court, she detailed the emotional toll and financial burden inflicted upon her and her family as a result of the rogue builders’ negligence.
Furthermore, other affected individuals residing in Penygraig, Porth, Treorchy, and Gilfach Goch recounted similar harrowing experiences with N&K Kitchens Ltd, incurring financial losses and enduring substandard or incomplete work. Despite promises made to rectify the situation, the Middleton brothers failed to deliver, exacerbating the distress of their customers. Prosecutor Alex Greenwood revealed that the cumulative financial detriment suffered by all victims amounted to a substantial £124,300. Following an investigation by Rhondda Cynon Taf council, Nicky Middleton and Kyle Middleton were implicated in fraudulent activities associated with their business operations.
In a court ruling, Judge Jeremy Jenkins condemned the Middletons’ deplorable conduct, emphasising the emotional turmoil and endangerment inflicted upon innocent homeowners. The severity of their offences culminated in a 32-month prison sentence for each brother, coupled with a 10-year disqualification from serving as company directors. Legal representatives for the defendants acknowledged the gravity of the situation, attributing the company’s downfall to mismanagement rather than malevolent intent.
The reprehensible actions of N&K Kitchens Ltd serve as a cautionary tale, underscoring the necessity of due diligence when engaging construction services. The unfortunate victims, including the resilient Catherine Lewis, have endured profound hardships stemming from the greed and negligence of unscrupulous individuals posing as reputable tradespeople. As the Middleton brothers face the consequences of their deceitful practices, the community remains vigilant against exploitative entities preying on unsuspecting homeowners seeking to realise their domestic aspirations.