A builder who carried out poor quality work and left jobs unfinished has been given a suspended prison sentence following an investigation by Bath & North East Somerset Trading Standards.
Thomas Harris (31) of Cosford Close, Gloucester, trading as HCG Building Contractors Ltd, came to the attention of Trading Standards following complaints that he had failed to carry out work with reasonable care and skill at the homes of three customers.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Harris had a habit of starting jobs and then refusing to come back to continue with the projects without further payment.
Harris pleaded guilty to two offences of contravening the requirements of professional diligence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
At Bristol Crown Court on 30 January Harris was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service. He has also been ordered to repay the three victims £14,400 in total.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services at Bath & North East Somerset Council, commented: “I hope the sentence sends a clear message that we will look to take action when innocent homeowners’ hard-earned money is lost to unscrupulous builders.”
