Wollaston builder jailed for fraudulent trading

James Carter, has been handed a 5 year prison sentence for various counts of fraudulent trading and breaching a suspended sentence for benefit fraud.

The 40 year old from Wollaston, who has been known by several different names, traded under 8 different company names and claimed he volunteered his roofing company on the BBC show DIY SOS the big build, despite only having a fleeting appearance whist fitting windows in a labouring job for a previous employer.

Stafford Crown Court heard that the 15 victims had been caused around £140,000 worth of loss due to Mr Carter’s poor workmanship. His dishonesty extended to claiming his company was trust marked, falsifying names and addresses, and falsifying qualification certificates. The court heard that he was ‘grossly incompetent’ and that Mr Carter would change his details to avoid complaints and repercussions from his work.

It was heard that when Mr Carter could not escape complaints he resorted to threats and intimidation. Dudley Council’s Trading Standards department stated that one vulnerable customer confronted him and was left so frightened she locked herself in a room after he threatened her.

The court held that Mr Carter’s actions were a gross breach of public trust and handed down a 5 year prison sentence, banned him from being a company director for 7 and a half years, and imposed a Criminal behaviour order preventing him from undertaking any future roofing or building works.

Should you have any questions about your legal obligations in relation Trading Standards matters and need a specialist Solicitor, call James Lowe, our Regulatory and Licensing Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance.