Cowboy builder receives prison sentence

A man who charged over £19,000 for building work that was so bad it had to be removed and replaced, has been sentenced to immediate imprisonment.

William Doyle (53) of Salford, Manchester, was prosecuted by Cheshire West and Chester Council for conspiring to commit fraud by false representation, contrary to section one of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

At Chester Crown Court on Friday, 23 June 2023, he was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for 18 months.

Doyle originally started minor paving work at the victims home and she discussed her ideas for a wooden building extension at her property.

He proclaimed himself an expert in wooden structures after spending 15 years working in America and offered to start the work the very next day.

However, the work was so poor, and so far removed from industry standards, it needed to be completely removed and started again from scratch.  Experts say the work is evidence that the defendant had no idea what he was doing.

An inspection by a chartered surveyor revealed issues and non-compliance with structure, fire safety, resistance to moisture and condensation, ventilation, drainage and waste disposal, electrical safety and more.

HHJ Berkson made the following sentencing remarks: “You have fully admitted your responsibility, you undertook repairs to the victim's property, you defrauded her and to an extent the people you worked with, it was all your fault, she is an elderly lady. The Council investigated what can properly be described as appalling workmanship, half-done and rough workmanship at the victim's home address.”

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, Councillor Christine Warner said: “Our Trading Standards Officers work hard to protect residents in Cheshire West and Chester from this type of fraudulent and dangerous business activity.

“Rogue traders like this face custodial sentences and hefty fines or compensation orders.  Please report anyone you think may be a ‘cowboy’ builder or other trades person, so they can be swiftly brought to justice before someone gets hurt due to their substandard work.”

The homeowner, Miss E Ledsham said: “Although I never expected to recover the money, Trading Standards officers also managed to secure a complete refund of the payments made to the builder.

“This is an unexpected but an outstanding result and one which is entirely down to the work and commitment of the Trading Standards team, the legal representatives, and the professional and thoughtful work of the officer from Trading Standards that pursued the case.  That persistence means that hopefully other people will be protected from this trader.”

Trading Standards officers give the following advice before getting work done on your property:

• Obtain a minimum of three quotes for the work
• Double check the paperwork and ensure you know the identity of the trader
• Ensure the trader gives you a 14-day cooling off period and not to agree to the work starting straight away (unless it is an emergency)

Report rogue traders on the Citizens Advice Consumer Service consumer helpline: 

0808 223 1133

... or online at: 

Contact the consumer helpline - Citizens Advice