Building company director given two-year suspended prison sentence
A ‘rogue builder’ who carried out substandard building work and left some work incomplete has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence.
Published: Friday, 30th August 2024
Kerry Sharland, Director of KS Building & Renovations Limited, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court yesterday (29 Aug) following an investigation by Swindon Borough Council’s Trading Standards team.
The 50-year-old admitted to a charge of fraudulent trading under the Companies Act 2006.
The case involved four couples who signed contracts with Sharland to do various building work for them. He undertook work which was substandard and left incomplete after taking money in advance, leaving his victims grossly out of pocket by over £72,000, collectively.
Two of the victims had building work carried out which resulted in their ceilings collapsing.
Sharland’s two-year prison sentence was suspended for two years and he was given 220 hours of community service as well as 15 days of rehabilitation.
He was also disqualified from being a director of a company for seven years.
His honour Judge Taylor told Sharland that his conduct had been “a nightmare” for the householders affected and that the work was done so poorly “substantial amounts (of money) were needed to rectify this work”.
Judge Taylor added that Sharland caused “stress and misery for customers” and told “repeated lies about refunds”. He told the court works were delayed and Sharland took money and didn’t do the work.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough’s Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “I’d like to thank the householders who had the misfortune to employ this individual for having the bravery to come forward and provide the evidence for this successful prosecution.
“I think the pictures of the collapsed ceilings tell you all you need to know about the appalling workmanship that was carried out at these properties and, not only that, this so-called builder also took money from innocent people and didn’t even do any work.
“I hope the sentence sends a clear message that we will take action when innocent homeowners are duped into parting with their hard-earned money by unscrupulous rogue traders.”
Anyone requiring building work on their property, should take their time and seek more than one quote.
Members of the public can report a rogue trader by using the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or via its website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/