Damaged roofs were never repaired – and new roofs not completed (Image: Getty)
A greedy rogue trader who scammed over £75,000 from 16 clients for new roofs or repairs that never happened has been jailed for 32 months. Richard Williams, 53, targeted victims from all across the North-West of England from May 2019 to September 2023 taking lump sums in advance for materials and deposits, then failing to turn up to do the work.
This shameless scamming sparked a probe by Cheshire West and Chester Council Trading Standards chiefs and Williams was finally jailed for 16 counts of fraud by false representation. At Chester Crown Court Judge Simon Berkson caged the crook for 32 months, explaining how the council’s Trading Standards team had done a “painstaking examination of the case.”
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The Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Pride and Community Safety, Councillor Stuart Bingham said: “I am really pleased that our Trading Standards Officers were able to help these residents get justice.
“The damage done by rogue traders goes beyond money and is a real threat to their victims’ mental and physical health.
“Rogue traders like this face going to jail, big fines and compensation orders.
“Our Trading Standards Officers work hard to protect residents in Cheshire West and Chester from this type of fraudulent business activity, but they need your help.
“Please report anyone you think may be a ‘cowboy builder’ so that we can bring them to justice.”
The court heard how Williams, of the Wirral, took money from multiple clients but did not complete roofing and renovation work.
Many of the 16 victims attended the two-hour sentencing hearing to watch with satisfaction as he was sent down to the cells.
Offences occurred between May 2019 and September 2023 and his victims were from Cheshire, Merseyside and Flintshire.
The judge was told that once the majority of the contracted price was paid, Williams would fail to show up at the victims’ addresses.
He left them with incomplete work, which they had to have completed by a third party contractor. What little work Williams did was of poor quality and in many cases needed to be removed and re-done.
In some cases, money was taken and no work was done at all. The total value of the fraud was £75,840.
After the hearing many of Williams’ victims – only using their first names – commented on his sentencing.
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Chester Crown Court (Image: MEN Media)
Janine explained: “He didn’t just steal my money he stole my peace of mind and the dream I was building in my home.
“I have not only lost my money but have also had to pay out further money, hiring new builders to carry out and complete the work he never did that was originally agreed.”
Gareth said: “It was a long journey, but we got a result. Friday was an emotional day for most of us.”
Louise added: “I would like to express my thanks to Trading Standards at Cheshire West and Chester Council and to the other victims involved in this case for their courage and resilience throughout this long process while we waited for justice to be served.
“His actions have completely destroyed our trust in tradespeople. The emotional, financial, and practical effects of what he did will stay with us for a very long time.”
While Sophie said: “I am relieved that the court has recognised the seriousness of what happened and that a custodial sentence has been imposed.
“The impact of Richard Williams’ actions has been devastating – both financially and emotionally.
“I was left with significant financial loss and a home that was uninhabitable, something that has and will take years to recover from.”