A sole trader who carried out sub-standard work and took deposits but failed to undertake the work has been prosecuted for fraud and unfair trading.
James McDonagh, (26), from Redcar, Rockpool Court, who provided unsatisfactory roofing work and sub-standard and incomplete garden landscaping work was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday 5 January to 10 months in prison, suspended for 1 year. McDonagh who told the court he felt remorse, regret and shame for what happened, was also ordered to pay compensation to consumers totalling £2752 and court costs of £3000.
He had previously pleaded guilty on 2 December 2022 to three offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and five offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
The offences related to six complaints from unsatisfied customers, the majority being elderly, for works taking place between March and September 2021. These complaints involved work being carried out to a poor standard, taking deposits and not returning to complete the work, failure to carry out remedial work as promised and failing to deal with consumer complaints.
McDonagh traded under various business names providing roofing work, gardening landscaping work and artificial grass installation. He obtained the work after replying to job requests that consumers had posted on various online trade directories.
He first came to the attention of Redcar and Cleveland Trading Standards in March 2021 and was provided with advice and a warning which he failed to respond to. Further complaints were received by Trading Standards involving poor workmanship and the taking of deposits and failure to return to complete the work.
Cabinet Member for Health and Welfare, Cllr Steve Kay, said: “Unfair trading has a deeply negative effect on the community. It causes the victims financial harm, stress, anxiety and reluctance to trust other traders in the future, which impacts genuine businesses who work within the law and thus the local economy. We will continue to ensure fair trading within Redcar and Cleveland and protect its residents and genuine businesses.”