FRIENDS and acquaintances of million-pound Minehead fraudster Darren MacKenzie were this week being asked to return luxury gifts he gave them so they can be sold for charity.

MacKenzie, 41, of Fownes Road, Alcombe, was jailed for five years and eight months after pleading guilty to stealing more than £1.3 million during an eight-year fraud at the Minehead and Porlock pharmacies where he was in charge of banking.

Now, pharmacy chain owner Max Punni (pictured) wants to ‘make something good come from this horrendous crime’.

MacKenzie used the stolen money to buy goods from luxury brands such as Gucci, Cartier, Prada, Hermes, Versace, Luis Vuitton, Tiffany, Rolex, Jimmy Choo, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Louboutin.

Many items were accepted from MacKenzie as presents by people who knew him and may have wondered how he could afford them.

So, Mr Punni said he was offering a no-questions-asked ‘amnesty’ for people to return such items and he would double whatever was their value and give the proceeds to local charities.

He said the offer was ‘without prejudice and not designed to vilify or demean anybody’ and the gifts could simply be returned anonymously in bags or boxes to Alcombe Pharmacy.

Aiming his comments directly at people who knew MacKenzie, Mr Punni said: “I have been approached by several people, ashamed, and sometimes in tears, who had the courage to return those beautiful precious ‘stolen’ things.

“Now you know the true origin of their provenance, perhaps you might examine your conscience and do the same.

“No pressure, but we know who many of you are. Many of you were innocent recipients of what you thought was kindness.

“Well, it was anything but. Do not be ashamed. You know the truth now and what really happened.

“He offered no defence in court and the verdict was damning.

“This is my pledge to all of you in the true spirit of Christmas – let us make something good come from this horrendous crime.

“Do the right thing and pay it forwards. The time for restitution is now.”

Mr Punni said any charities which wanted to benefit from the proceeds could approach him in confidence.

“I vow to make this commitment real and to return good karma back to the needy,” he said.

“This Christmas will be a grim and daunting time for many families as they struggle to keep warm, be fed, and buy gifts.

“Especially children, as we battle with the pandemic, flu, and now Strep-A outbreaks.

“I will double the value of all returned goods and donate the entire proceeds to local charity.”