Rogue roofer jailed as 16 victims left out of pocket in £75k swindle
In some cases he took money but no work was done at all
Chester Crown Court(Image: MEN Media)
A rogue trader who took money from multiple victims but did not complete roofing and renovation work has been jailed. Richard Williams, of Wimbrick Hey, Wirral, was sentenced to 32 months in prison when he appeared at Chester Crown Court where he was prosecuted for fraud by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The charges related to the 16 separate victims of his fraud, many of whom attended court for the 53-year-old's two-hour hearing. The offences took place between May 2019 and September 2023 in Cheshire, Merseyside and Flintshire.
According to the council, once the majority of the contracted price was paid Williams would fail to show at the victims' addresses. This left them with incomplete work which they had to have finished by a third party contractor.
What work was done 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 commented on his sentencing. One said: "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 had to pay out further money, hiring new builders to carry out and complete the work he never did that was originally agreed.”
Another 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 have 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."
During the hearing, Judge Simon Berkson said the council’s Trading Standards team had done a ‘painstaking examination of the case’. 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 victim’s 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.”
Report rogue traders on the Citizens Advice Consumer Service consumer helpline 0808 223 1133 or online here.