news
‘Sobbing’ KBB company director in court for clashing with police
KBB
THE DIRECTOR of a Darlington-based company
has been remanded in custody over his alleged role
in the recent far-right political riots. Joe MacKenzie, 28, is the director of DL3 Property Solutions, a company that offers Bathrooms, Kitchens, Plumbing and Heating services. MacKenzie appeared in court accused of
wearing a face covering while clashing with Middlesborough police in the violent riots. He is accused of causing chaos while being part
of a mob of around 20 men, where he was reportedly heard shouting “We are taking over, I f***ing hate you c***s”, and throwing objects at
police officers for several hours. Nick Woodhouse applied for bail on behalf of
MacKenzie, and alleges that the accused had only gone into the centre of Middlesborough “out of curiosity”, and intended to return to his car before finding his route blocked by a police cordon. In court, he denied using or threatening unlawful
violence, and will now face trial at Teeside Magistrates Court at a later date. He has since been remanded in custody, after which he was led out of the courtroom, reportedly sobbing. A total of 40 arrests were made over the riot in Middlesborough. Following MacKenzie’s court appearance, DL3
Property Solutions has faced a deluge of negative comments on its most recent Instagram posts. One
Historic UK plumbing fittings brand proposes factory closure
PIPE AND valve manufacturer Pegler has announced new proposals to close its Doncaster factory site, which it has used for more than 120 years. As first reported in the Doncaster
for
While no final decisions have been made, we want to be transparent, and we must look at ways to remain competitive
" 6
Free Press, the newly launched proposal revealed plans to cease manufacturing operations at the company’s historic Doncaster site. According to a spokesperson Pegler,
employees have
already been informed of the proposed plans, and the company and unions are working closely with employees “to provide support at this unsettling time”. Pegler was bought by Aalberts
Integrated Piping Systems in 2005, and the new proposal could see manufacturing moved to other Aalberts locations. At the time of the acquisition, Pegler reportedly employed more than
500 people. Despite the proposed closure, Aalberts has reassured customers that its UK distribution centre, based at Manvers, will not be impacted. According to the BBC, John Dillon, general manager for Aalberts
Integrated Piping Systems UK, clarified: “While no final decisions have been made, we want to be transparent, and we must look at ways to remain competitive in global markets”.
social media user quipped: “Hope you mend your ways before any [more] bathrooms”. Meanwhile, on a picture of one of the
company’s recent bathroom renovation projects, another said: “I wonder if prison bathrooms will be up to standard”. National unrest broke out across Britain
last month, which is said to have been fuelled by misinformation online that the teenage murder suspect in a stabbing in Southport was a Muslim refugee. Prime Minister Kier Starmer has said that those
accused of rioting, such as MacKenzie, can expect to be processed rapidly through the court system, and has warned that there will be “substantive sentencing” for those found guilty.
KBB retail fraudster handed jail sentence
A KBB retailer recently found guilty of fraud has now been sentenced to jail time. Staffordshire-based business owner Richard Stubbs
(pictured), 55, and his co-accused, Carl Egerton, 54, were both handed guilty verdicts in May. Stubbs was found guilty of three charges of fraudulent trading, seven charges of fraud, and two charges of intending to pervert the course of public justice. Stubbs has now been sentenced to five-and-a-half years behind bars, and
Egerton has received a 16-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months. At his verdict hearing, the court heard how Stubbs took money upfront from
for home renovation projects with no intention of completing the work. The court accused him of fitting products that were different to what clients had ordered, and said he also avoided requests from clients to rectify mistakes. During his trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, the courtroom heard
testimony from Stubbs’ former customers, who paid more than £134,000 for KBB projects which were never completed. Stubbs sold kitchens and bathrooms to consumers through a business
called Idesign Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd and then subsequently by Peak Kitchens & Bathrooms. Both companies have now been fined £57,827 and £23,292, respectively. Stubbs has also been disqualified from being a company director for the next ten years. Egerton, a builder who carried out work on behalf of Stubbs was also
ordered to pay £2,500 in costs and must undertake 100 hours of unpaid work, in addition to his sentence. Handing down his ruling, Judge Graeme Smith said: “I am satisfied that the
main reason for the failure of the company was the extraction of funds by Stubbs to maintain his lifestyle. It was clear from your evidence, Richard Stubbs, you felt you were working hard so you were entitled to a certain lifestyle.”
kbbreview September 2024
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