A rogue builder stripped the roof from a customer's house and then left it exposed to the elements after claiming he had run out of money.
The shocking case was one of two prosecutions brought against Stephen Luke Ainsley, 61. The court heard he undertook to build an extension for one customer and to carry out roofing work for another in Warrington in February 2020.
In the first case, Ainsley took a payment of over £7,000 to supply doors and windows, but these were never supplied. He also took payments ahead of work being completed, which, in total was estimated at £17,000. He then informed the customer that he had run out of money, could not to do the work and failed to provide a refund.
READ MORE : Drug gang taken down after packing lair found
In the second case, Ainsley removed the old roof from the consumer's house, which was then left exposed to the elements for six months, before again telling them he had run out of money and could not complete the work.
In both cases his victims had to appoint new traders, paying them substantial sums to rectify the incomplete work and weather damage caused by Ainsley's failure to complete the agreed works.
Ainsley, of Ashdale Road, Wigan, who traded as building firm Sabrik UK, denied four charges relating to the poor quality of building works carried out at the home addresses of the two consumers. He was subsequently found guilty on all counts at Warrington magistrates' court.
The court heard that Ainsley had limited funds available to pay any fines imposed by the court or to compensate the two consumers for their losses.
Although the court was unable to award compensation anywhere near the full amount the consumers had lost, the victim surcharge fee and prosecution costs were waived so the victims could be awarded the maximum compensation they could from Ainsley's assets, which was £4,000 and £1,000 respectively.
It was on this basis that no separate fine was imposed by the court for the four criminal offences of which Mr Ainsley was found guilty.
Cllr Hitesh Patel, Warrington's cabinet member for environment, housing and public protection, said: "We are pleased with the outcome of this case and that the two customers involved were able to receive compensation for the unprofessional, costly and unfair trading practices of this building firm.
"These kinds of behaviours that take advantage of consumers where they often have to foot the bill to rectify poor or incomplete work, will not be tolerated in Warrington."
