West Yorkshire scaffolder ordered to pay back more than £100,000 in fraudulent Covid-19 loans
The 56 year old claimed £50,000 Bounce Back Loans he wasn't entitled to
Last updated 16th Sep 2025
A West Yorkshire scaffolding company boss has been ordered to pay back more than £100,000 in fraudulently obtained Covid-19 loans.
56 year old Mark Degnan, of Wellhams Road in Pontefract, has been told to hand back almost £60,000 within the next six months, or face a possible prison term.
Leeds Crown Court heard the businessman had previously repaid around £55,000 before appearing.
He was handed a two year suspended sentence earlier this year for inflating his business turnover in order to secure two £50,000 Covid-19 Bounce Back Loans for his company, MBL Scaffolding Services Ltd.
He has also been disqualified from acting as a company director for five years and will have to complete 50 hours of unpaid work.
Alexander Grierson, Head of Asset Recovery at the Insolvency Service, said:
"Mark Degnan cynically exploited a scheme designed to help small businesses during the pandemic by exaggerating his company’s turnover and obtaining two loans when companies were only allowed one."
"Securing this confiscation order is important as it means Degnan must pay all the money back plus interest or go to jail.
"The Insolvency Service remains committed to pursuing fraudsters who abused the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and will continue to use all available powers to ensure criminals do not financially benefit from their illegal activities."