Rogue Builder Sentenced for Defrauding Customers of £26,620

A victim of the cowboy builder, Siobhan Anderson, said Ian Wheeler seemed professional before failing to complete the construction work. Wheeler, the owner of Gwent County Construction Ltd, was found guilty of defrauding customers and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court. He was charged with one offence under the Fraud Act 2006 and six offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Seven customers reported being taken advantage of, with some not receiving any work done and others receiving subpar work.

Key Takeaways:

• Ian Wheeler, the owner of Gwent County Construction Ltd, was found guilty of defrauding customers and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.
• Wheeler was charged with one offence under the Fraud Act 2006 and six offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
• Seven customers reported being taken advantage of, with some not receiving any work done and others receiving subpar work.
• Wheeler received a six-month suspended sentence for consumer protection offences and a three-month suspended sentence for the fraud charge, both suspended for 15 months.
• Wheeler was also ordered to complete 120 hours of community service and attend a rehabilitation program.
• A Compensation Order of £24,920 was issued, to be repaid at £800 per month over 2 years and 8 months.
• Siobhan Anderson, a victim of Wheeler's, said he initially seemed professional and gave her a receipt with a start date, but failed to deliver any materials.
• Anderson's husband had to release money from a further advance on their mortgage to have the job completed, which will result in paying interest for a long time.
• Wheeler used Facebook to find customers and asked for a 50 percent deposit up front.
• In three cases, no work was carried out, with various excuses being given, including family emergencies and health problems.
• In four cases, minimal work was carried out to a poor standard, including a wall that fell down within weeks of being constructed.

Statistics:

• £26,620: The amount taken from seven customers by Ian Wheeler.
• £24,920: The Compensation Order issued to be repaid at £800 per month over 2 years and 8 months.
• 15 months: The length of time for which Wheeler's suspended sentence was suspended.
• 120 hours: The community service Wheeler was ordered to complete.
• £800: The monthly repayment amount for Wheeler to repay the Compensation Order.
• 2 years and 8 months: The length of time over which Wheeler must repay the Compensation Order.

Sources:

• Cardiff Crown Court
• Torfaen Council's Trading Standards Team
• Gwent County Construction Ltd
• Facebook
• Siobhan Anderson
• Daniel Morelli, Head of Public Protection and Environment.