A local building company has gone into liquidation after being defrauded of almost £600,000 by its account manager over a six year period.

Andrew Maxted, 57, of Horsemarling Farm, Standish Gate, near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, has admitted dishonestly abusing his trusted position at Building Solutions Ltd to gain £596,497.29 for himself.

He indicated a guilty plea at Cheltenham Magistrates Court last month and was bailed unconditionally to attend Gloucester Crown Court for sentence on May 25, 2024.

The charge states that his fraud went on from October 1, 2011, to October 1, 2017, while he was accounts manager of the long-established local company.

Director David Brennan, 73, of Churcham, near Gloucester, who has run the company (formerly Gloster Woodworm Control Ltd) for the last 49 years, says Maxted's crime has 'destroyed' the business.

Writing on LinkedIn shortly after Maxted appeared before the magistrates to admit his guilt, Mr Brennan said: "Andrew Maxted, a former Accounts Manager at Building Solutions, pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing almost £600,000 from our family company.

"During the lengthy six-and-a-half year legal process, the Liquidator brought a successful civil case against him which led to his bankruptcy and he will shortly be sentenced by the Crown Court for the crime that destroyed our 49 year-old Chartered Building Company into which so much hard work and investment had been made.

"The exceptional team of skilled and committed people who lost their jobs at Building Solutions will be pleased to see justice being served, as will the suppliers and loyal customers that we worked closely with for so many years."

The other directors of the company are Carole Brennan, who is also company secretary, Anthony Sills and Simon Williams.

Simon Wynn, a surveyor who used to work for the company until it ran into trouble as a result of Maxted's crime, welcomed his admission in court but said: "Full justice still needs to be served by way of the sentence for the crime."

Writing on LinkedIn he added: "Ultimately, even the maximum tariff would not undo the damage that was caused to all who suffered at the hands of this individual but at least closure would be achieved.

"I spent many happy years at Building Solutions and that was ripped from me by this individual so my breath is bated while I await his sentencing."

Companies House records show that the company's current status is that it is in liquidation and being run from the addreess of Smart Insolvency Solutions Ltd of Worcester.