A builder jailed after he left more than 70 homeowners out of pocket has been ordered to pay nearly £15,000 back to his dissatisfied customers.

David Umney, 55, founded Norfolk Home Improvements which did work such as building conservatories and laying new drives, but Norwich Crown Court heard it was 'lottery' as to whether any work would happen, and when it was done it was often done in a 'shoddy' manner.

Umney, of Fakenham Road, Drayton, was jailed nine months in October 2014 after he admitted contravening professional diligence and he was also banned from acting as a director for the next five years.

Umney found himself back in the crown court for a confiscation hearing and the court heard the benefit figure from the business was put at £14,999 and the court ordered him to repay the cash as compensation rather than as a confiscation amount so that customers left out of pocket can be compensated.

David Wilson, prosecuting on behalf of Norfolk Trading Standards, said it had also been agreed for Umney to pay £25,000 towards the prosecution costs.

He said the cash was already being held in an account by Umney's lawyers.

Judge Stephen Holt made the order for the £14,999 to be paid as compensation and ordered Umney to pay the cash within two months or face a further eight months in prison in default.

During the sentencing hearing the court heard how Norfolk Home Improvements ran a cold-calling operation which targeted people across the county from Norwich to Great Yarmouth, Sheringham to Attleborough.

But the court was told it was a lottery as to whether work would happen and Jamie Sawyer, for Norfolk Trading Standards, said the firm failed to refund many deposits, did not complete work in a reasonable time, and did not take reasonable care and skill in work and failed to respond to complaints.

He said that refunds were given in the form of cheques that bounced, or in vouchers that were actually just discounts on future work.

Norfolk Home Improvements was dissolved in November 2013.

The court heard that Umney was of previous good character and had sold his home in a bid to satisfy debts.

Sophie Leney, head of Trading Standards at Norfolk County Council, said: 'We are pleased the judge has ordered Mr Umney to compensate customers who had trusted him to carry out work he had promised to do.

'Our Trading Standards officers work hard to protect consumers from unscrupulous traders. In this case, our officers undertook a thorough investigation that resulted in strong evidence that was used in court.

'The judge's order sends out a strong message that traders will not get away with making false promises and leaving their customers out of pocket.'