Cowboy builder jailed for scamming victims of £300k

Daniel Dyer carried out incomplete and sub-standard work

A cowboy builder has been jailed for two years after carrying out sub-standard work and committing fraud.

Daniel Dyer, of Penleigh Road, Westbury, received approximately £300,000 in payments for incomplete work at five properties across Wiltshire.

He also failed to obtain sign off for the works from Wiltshire Council Building Control, meaning it was not inspected or authorised to ensure compliance with building regulations.

As well as imprisonment, Dyer was disqualified from acting as a company director for the now dissolved Ashwood Home Improvements (SW) Ltd during sentencing at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to 11 offences under The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, Fraud Act 2006 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

A lengthy investigation was launched following a large number of complaints.

Dyer was prosecuted by Wiltshire Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council Trading Standards officers

Homeowners in Trowbridge agreed to pay Dyer for a garage conversion and extension which was estimated to take 13 weeks to complete.

Two years later, the project was still ongoing, with the homeowners having paid more than double the original quote of £80,314.

They have since been quoted £26,000 plus VAT to finish and rectify the work.

According to a chartered surveyor who examined Dyer's incomplete work, there was inadequate foundations and structural support, as well as a fire risk in the stairway and a toilet installed in a position that could not be sat on.

'Unacceptable standard'

A disabled homeowner in Trowbridge was left without a kitchen sink and a leaking roof after Dyer carried out five months of work in their house.

The victim paid more than £50,000.

Dyer also charged homeowners in Radstock, Somerset £53,000 to install off-road parking and a loft extension to their property.

An officer from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) served a prohibition notice to prevent further work from being carried out due to Dyer not carrying out the relevant work to safeguard the stability of the property during excavations.

He also damaged the the existing structure, which required remedial work. At that point, Dyer ignored the homeowner's attempts to contact him.

Councillor Dominic Muns, from Wiltshire Council, said: "Rogue traders aren’t always easy to spot and can carry out work that is incomplete or to an unacceptable standard causing misery for our residents.

“It is a key priority for us to protect our residents from harm and as such our trading standards team do all they can to support people to be aware of the signs of unscrupulous traders.

"I hope that the sentence that has been imposed sends a clear message that we will take action to protect our residents."