Rogue Trader handed suspended sentence after leaving customer over £20,000 out of pocket

A rogue trader who left a customer over £20,000 out of pocket after failing to complete building works to their home has been handed a four-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay compensation.

Scott Brian Richardson of SR Joinery & Building Services Limited was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, May 8.

Richardson received £51,000 in payments between March and August 2023 to build a linked extension between the main house and the garage, a garage room extension, garage conversion and conversion of the garage attic space.

However, the work was never completed, while materials the customer paid out for never appeared at the property.

An independent expert instructed by Trading Standards valued the work done at £29,209.73, leaving the consumer £21,790.27 out of pocket.

Richardson, who worked out of Unit 5 Lagonda Court, Billingham, was given a suspended sentence, ordered to pay back £24,000 and carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, having previously pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's, Cabinet Member for Access, Communities & Community Safety, said: "Mr Richardson's behaviour has caused a lot of financial and emotional stress to the customer.

"Work not completed on time, overpayments made for the work that has been done and for materials which were said to have been purchased but never arrived on the site.

"The thorough work carried out by our Trading Standards Team has ensured Mr Richardson is answerable for his actions and sends another warning to other traders to take their legal obligations seriously or face the consequences.

"Please obtain at least three quotes for any home improvement work, seek recommendations from friends and family, and do not hand over large sums of money upfront."