Rogue trader forced to pay

A BEDWORTH builder who duped a terminally ill woman into believing she needed major repairs to the roof of her bungalow has been ordered to pay almost £5,000 in fines and costs.

Edwin Jones, trading as E & J Property Maintenance of Walter Scott Road, Bedworth, pleaded guilty at Rugby Magistrates Court to a prosecution brought by Warwickshire Trading Standards.

He admitted two counts of making misleading statements regarding work necessary to the roof of a property and one count of failing to notify the woman of her cancellation rights.

While she was involved in engaging Jones to carry out the work, the woman revealed she was terminally ill with cancer and did not know how long she had left to live.

Because of the seriousness of her illness, her evidence was recorded on video so that it was not lost and could be made available to the court.

The court heard that the case was investigated after officers from Warwickshire Trading Standards visited the woman's `smartly presented' bungalow in South Warwickshire after a watchful resident reported her concerns that her next door neighbour was being misled by an unscrupulous trader about work required to the roof.

Investigations revealed that the trader, Edwin Jones, had cold-called at the property and obtained work jet washing, sanding and sealing the drive for £480 in cash.

He had not provided written cancellation rights as required by law and had begun the work immediately, despite being advised he had to do so by officers of the Warwickshire Trading Standards Service in person and by telephone and in writing following two separate incidents in the preceding six months.

After he had completed the work on the drive Jones informed the householder. after a cursory inspection, that the roof felt on the bungalow was rotten and that the soffits bowed downwards.

He said it had been caused by rainwater getting in and warned that if the problem was not rectified within the next twelve months it would cause serious damage to the property.

Jones also stated that the gable end of the bungalow needed re-pointing, but expert advice by a chartered building surveyor for the trading standards service confirmed there was no evidence that such work as required.

Magistrates were also told that, due to the poor health of the householder, Warwickshire Trading Standards sought the help of Warwickshire Police to interview her using special measures to video record her testimony.

After the case Warwickshire county councillor Richard Hobbs, cabinet member for community protection, said: "Warwickshire Trading Standards Service strives to protect the most vulnerable in our community."

"Indeed, trading standard officers were so concerned with this case that they took the unusual step of recording the victim's testimony due to her failing health."

Cllr Hobbs added: "I commend their approach pursuing the case against this rogue trader. This prosecution sends out a strong message to traders who take advantage of the vulnerable: `Trading standards will take action against you'."