ROCKLAND, Maine (WABI) – A Midcoast contractor who pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from dozens of customers will never serve time behind bars.

Malcolm Stewart owned the now defunct Castle Builders in Union.

Stewart was sentenced to seven years in prison and sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday in a Rockland courtroom.

The prosecution had asked the judge to sentence Stewart to 30 months in prison.

He was ordered to repay $385,000 and sentenced to three years probation.

Stewart defended Alford; This means he has pleaded guilty but maintains his innocence, acknowledging that he could be found guilty if the case goes to trial.

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