A rogue builder who took nearly £5,000 from a Brierley Hill resident for rendering work, but failed to finish the job, has landed a court bill of almost £4,000.

Adrian Jones, aged 35, of Chapel Street, Pensnett, admitted three offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on 9 February 2017.

The offences included failing to notify the consumer of statutory cancellation rights and two counts of failing to exercise professional diligence by failing to complete the work and failing to return monies to the householder.

The court heard Jones had quoted £5,000 to externally render the house and initially took a £500 deposit. He started work in June 2015 and then requested more payments, with five made totalling £4,740.

Jones promised to complete the job before the end of July 2015 but only finished the front of the house. The house was left with the old rendering removed from the side and rear and scaffolding in place. Jones promised the resident on numerous occasions he would return to complete the job, but didn’t and he failed to provide a refund.

The court imposed a 12 month conditional discharge on Jones and ordered him to pay £2,500 compensation to the householder and £1,491 costs to Dudley Council.

Jones apologised to the court. Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said:

“This prosecution sends out a clear message we will protect consumers from the activity of rogue traders who flout the law and carry out sub standard work. This kind of activity causes a huge amount distress to the victims who have worked hard and saved to pay for improvements to their home and are then badly let down.”

Dudley Council has a number of services set up to protect residents from rogue traders. Anyone who is suspicious of doorstep callers can call the Bogus Caller Hotline on 01384 812045 to report an incident 24/7.

In addition Dudley Trading Standards, in partnership with Age UK Dudley, offers the Fix a Home list of local approved traders who provide services of a high standard at a fair cost. Copies are available online.