A rogue builder has been sentenced for shoddy workmanship and failing to provide fixtures and fittings for which he had been paid thousands of pounds.
The hearing took place at York Crown Court following an investigation by North Yorkshire trading standards officers.
John Henry Medd Taylor had pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 at an earlier hearing on November 4 and was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment suspended for a year for each offence to run concurrently and 100 hours of unpaid work.
The case was brought by North Yorkshire County Council trading standards service which began an investigation after receiving a complaint from a Stokesley resident who had paid Taylor £10,000 to provide tiles, granite worktop and bathroom fixings which were never delivered.
Taylor, 41, from Stockton, also claimed to have installed a windpost – a structural support – into the wall of a stable conversion but the installation had not been completed to building regulations and so had to be re-done by another builder.
The court heard that John Taylor was previously prosecuted by Stockton Borough Council trading standards service in relation to unfair trading and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months.
His Honour Judge Hickey told Taylor that he deserved to go into custody for offences which were “strikingly similar to previous offences”, but that his responsibilities to his dependents and the possibility of Taylor earning money to pay compensation led him to suspend the sentence.
The judge had heard references from satisfied customers but said “the sad fact is you do produce shoddy work” and had made promises that had not been kept.
Taylor was ordered to pay compensation to the householders of £22,000 and costs of £4,300.
County Councillor Andrew Lee, portfolio holder for trading standards, said: “The cost of hiring a bad builder can be more than just financial as householders place their trust and their home in the hands of the builder concerned.
“Our trading standards service will not hesitate to investigate rogue trading, especially in cases where substantial amounts of money have been paid and no goods or services received.
“I am pleased that the sentence passed today reflects the impact Mr Taylor’s trading practices had on the resident.”
Consumers who would like to report a problem to trading standards or need advice should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 034540 40506
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