Wadebridge Rogue Builder jailed for more than two years

A rogue builder that cost its customers £ 150,000 was sent to prison for more than two years by the Turo Crown Court.

James Christopher Smith, 45, from Wadebridge, declared himself guilty of participating in a fraudulent business.

Smith disappointed seven people, leaving a disinfected house, cheating customers about ordering materials and not returning deposits for unfinished and poor work.

Martyn Alvey, of the Cornwall Council, said he expected the sentence to demonstrate “how seriously” the Council took the rebel commerce as “cases like this seriously affect consumer confidence in local construction trade.”

Alvey said that the “true cost” of fixing Smith’s work had met tens of thousands of pounds for many of his clients.

In one case, Smith demanded money for the materials he never ordered when building an extension of wood frame that completed late.

The extension then had to be demolished after the inspectors found 30 failures in the regulation of the building.

Another of Smith’s clients agreed to pay £ 184,000 to remodel their bungalow, which was finally left uninhabitable, without windows, doors, heating or electricity.

In both cases, the owners had to “look for more finances” to finish the projects.

Smith received a total sentence of 28 months in prison.