‘Rogue roofers’ handed suspended sentence
Two brothers who took money from clients but did not carry out roofing work, have been given suspended jail sentences and ordered to do unpaid work, and pay prosecution costs.
Andrew Gaskin (28) and Dolphus Gaskin (31), trading as ATB Building and Property Maintenance, both from Widnes, were prosecuted by Cheshire West and Chester Council for fraud by false representation at Chester Magistrates Court.
There were sentenced to 34 weeks imprisonment each, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 300 hours unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation days and to pay £2,846 in costs (between them) plus a £154 victim surcharge each.
They were reported to Citizens Advice after the pair took more than £2,000 from a resident in Waverton, despite not carrying out any of the work they said they had completed, which included replacing roofing tiles, felt and battens and clearing gutters.
Ring Doorbell footage was shown in court which had recorded many of the interactions with the defendants.
The Magistrates said this case met the custody threshold because it was a pre-planned act, a breach of trust and one of the defendants has done this before. They suspended the sentence as they felt there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
After the hearing the complainant said:
I am not the kind of person who would think themselves likely to be defrauded but I was conned by some passing roofers who, in hindsight, were looking for minor roofing defects in an area with a large population of elderly people. They used a broken tile as an “in”, showed me fake footage showing a large hole in my roof under the tiles, then convinced me to pay them to work on the roof. After realising they had done pretty much nothing, I came to trading standards via Citizens Advice and they gathered all the evidence, working diligently to identify and pursue the offenders through the justice system. I am really pleased at the resulting sentences and hope they act as a deterrent.
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 this resident 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 at: Contact the consumer helpline - Citizens Advice