Builder jailed over rogue trading spree

A rogue builder is facing time behind bars after carrying out a string of fraud offences against his customers, leaving them over £30,000 out of pocket.

John McGrath, 49, of The Oval, Barnard Castle, was sentenced today (19 January) at Teesside Crown Court in a case brought forward by Durham County Council and National Trading Standards.

McGrath pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud, and was handed a 15 month prison sentence, half to be served in custody and half on licence. The investigation began after a complaints from McGrath’s customers. This unravelled a series of fraud offences which McGrath made from 2016 to 2021.

The court heard that McGrath's activity would generally begin with him agreeing to carry out building or roofing work. He would then request more money from his customers, either as a deposit or for materials, but would not return and carry out the work.

McGrath would also promise customers a refund but would not compensate in full or, in some cases, would not return any money at all.

One of these customers was a community association, which had hired McGrath to repair the roof of its building.

McGrath quoted a bill for £3,200 but began to increase the bill as he claimed to identify more work.

Nine months into the project, McGrath had received payments totalling £13,367 but had carried out only a small amount of work and gave reasons as to why matters could not proceed. The community association then asked McGrath for a refund, in response to which he promised to finish the work or refund some of the money paid, but failed to do either.

The court heard that another job McGrath accepted was to repair the roof of a children's home. He quoted £1,446 and received this in two payments. Over a period of five months, there were 35 calls between McGrath and the children’s home about the work which had not yet been started. McGrath eventually attended the site and claimed the whole roof needed repairing and that he required an additional £1,500 as a deposit. After receiving the payment, McGrath told the customer he could not carry out the work at that time. Seven months after the project was agreed, McGrath had not carried out any of the work.

Teesside Crown Court heard that, of the eight examples read in court, the total amount of money McGrath defrauded from customers was £30,065.27.

Owen Cleugh, Durham County Council's safer places manager, said: "Over a number of years, Mr McGrath misled customers by taking payment for works and failing to carry out or complete what was agreed. These people have been left trying to undo any poor-quality workmanship and claim back financial losses. It is for this reason that we are committed to tackling rogue traders and we are pleased this case has brought successful legal action.

"We would always encourage residents to use a trusted trader scheme when looking for someone to carry out work on a property or garden. If someone does think they have been victim to rogue trader activity, they can report it to the Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or the police on 101."

Howard Turton, Regional Enforcement Manager, National Trading Standards North East, said:

“McGrath’s offending was a clear abuse of trust. Customers paid for essential work in good faith, only to be left out of pocket after a series of false promises. His actions even extended to a community organisation and a children’s home, showing a disregard for work meant to support places relied on by the local community.

“Rogue traders like this cause real financial harm and anxiety over long periods of time. This investigation and sentence reflects the seriousness of that behaviour and sends a clear message that those who deliberately cheat consumers will be held to account.”