Cowboy builder who 'wrecked' victim's house conned customers out of £20,000
Ian Smith has been jailed for 19 months for nine counts of fraud after scamming money from his unsuspecting victims
A cowboy builder who swindled more than £20,000 from his victims has been jailed for 19 months.
Ian Smith would agree a price with his customers and demand a significant deposit, but then fail to arrive when he was due to do the work, or leave jobs half complete.
The 44-year-old was found to have duped nine victims out of £20,497.26 between 2012 and his arrest in 2021.
Prosecutor Maria Brannan said a businessman who buys and renovates properties was quoted £6,200 by Smith to make and install some gates. He paid a £2,065 deposit in September 2012 and after planning permission was granted in January 2013 he called Smith and asked him to do the work.
Brannan said: "He phoned and emailed Smith but got no response. He eventually visited the defendant's business premises in Longton but found they were deserted." The court heard the victim pursued the matter through Fraud Action UK, Trading Standards and the police.
In July 2018 another man approached Smith's company, Opal Design and Build, and was quoted £9,000 for alterations to his home. Emails were exchanged and a start date for work confirmed and a £3,000 deposit paid.
However, just before he was due to start, Smith, of Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, called to say his laptop had been stolen. He later made further excuses saying he had been in hospital and was receiving treatment. The defendant sent the victim images of his medications.
Other offences followed similar patterns. Brannan told the court: "Various excuses were given, including family illness." But victims never heard from Smith again.
Brannan said: "He said his daughter had been in hospital and that he could not do any work because his accounts had been frozen.
In October 2020, one victim received an invoice from steel stockholders for £211.26 and £450 from a structural surveyors.
The house was a wreck
Brannan said: "They were both bills the defendant had been given money to pay. A total of £2,865 was paid by the victim. The work was left unfinished. The defendant failed to contact the victims, even after they told him they were going to Citizens Advice and would be involving the police."
The final victim used the 'myjobquote' website to find a builder for significant alterations at her home in October 2020. The work included knocking down an internal supporting wall and installing a steel joist. The defendant responded and quoted £9,130. He asked for a £3,060 deposit, which was paid.
Work was due to start on November 16, 2020 but Smith failed to respond to calls or messages. As a result, the witness contacted her bank to freeze the bank transfer.
Smith then got in touch and proposed a new start date. Brannan said: "Smith asked the victim for more money for his father, saying his bank account had been locked due to the witness’ earlier actions. The defendant gave the witness details of his ‘father's account'. The witness transferred another £2,500.
"But on 1 December 2020 she visited her house, following a lack of communication from the defendant. The house was a wreck. There was rubble and loose bricks everywhere and wires hanging down.
"She contacted the defendant. He claimed he had been having trouble with his daughter which had proved very serious. He also said he had split from his partner. Promises were made in lengthy texts, but after she was let down again, the victim reported Smith to Trading Standards.
Smith answered no comment to all questions asked when finally arrested in July 2021, but pleaded guilty to nine charges of fraud at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Andrew Molloy, mitigating, said his client had expressed his remorse. He said Smith had been on remand in prison since May and had served the equivalent of a 12-month sentence.
Judge Michael Maher told Smith: "You used several companies as vehicles for the fraud. You quoted for building work. Initially you were professional in providing the quotes you did. Your professionalism was a little more than a veneer.
"Once you obtained a substantial payment you failed to carry out the work, or you would carry out a small amount of work to a dreadful standard and leave it unfinished. You put the occupants at the final property at risk. This was fraudulent activity over a substantial period of time."
How to spot a cowboy builder
The Consumer Protection Association advises anyone needing a tradesman to search their database for a contractor who will have been vetted and verified. Always check they are accredited.
However, if you source elsewhere there are some 'red flags' to look out for. For example if they are in a rush to do the job, insist on cash payment, want payment up front or refuse to sign a contract.
Customers should also be aware of quotes that are significantly cheaper than competitors', the refusal to provide a written quote, those that are unknown in your area or have no online reviews.
Recommended reading
Cowboy builder who destroyed disabled girl's home after charging family £75,000 is jailed (Yahoo News UK)
Cowboy builders film themselves boasting about ripping off 82-year-old victim (Independent)
Police warn of scams that could ruin your Christmas (Isle of Wight County Press)
