Rogue builder tricks elderly couple in Kenilworth out of thousands of pounds

Patrick Noel Doherty pleaded guilty to fraud and has was given a three-year suspended prison sentence, ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid work and attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The 23-year-old, of Earlswood, Solihull, who traded as Shakespeare Driveways & Patios Ltd, had already been in prison on remand for ten months for other matters, prior to the sentence.

Doherty exploited the trust of an elderly Kenilworth couple, aged 89 and 91, by misleading them about the condition of their property and persuading them to pay for overpriced, unnecessary and poor-quality work. His fraudulent conduct left the couple with financial worries and feeling insecure. One described Doherty as a ‘conman’, after he had claimed he would never cheat her because he ‘wouldn't want it done to my granny’.

The Kenilworth couple employed Shakespeare Driveways & Patios Ltd after a flyer was posted through their door that included the Guild of Master Craftsmen logo and a reference to Checkatrade. It was later discovered that the business had never been a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen.

The prosecution against Doherty was carried out by Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service. A spokesperson for the service said: "What started as a verbal quote of £600 for weeding, cleaning and sealing their driveway quickly escalated as Doherty repeatedly claimed to discover serious defects with the property.

"Over the course of several days, Doherty told the couple that water had damaged the damp course, concrete above a patio door was crumbling and in danger of causing the doors to fall out, and the roof had cracked tiles, a damaged chimney (that would fall if not repaired) and other defects requiring urgent attention. Trusting his apparent expertise, the couple agreed to the additional works despite receiving no written quotations, contracts or cancellation rights.

"Doherty also exploited the vulnerabilities of the victims. Despite knowing that one of the couple suffered from memory issues and was deaf, Doherty later claimed he had agreed further work with him by a simple handshake. The couple felt compelled to agree to the works because Doherty presented them as necessary and urgent repairs.

"Work that had started with a verbal quote of £600 ended in Doherty demanding a staggering £39,000. He falsely told his victims that the sum included £4,000 of bank charges because they were writing two cheques. Finally, after the couple had written several cheques, some of which had been cancelled by their bank, Doherty made off with £18,450. A worthless 10-year guarantee was also given."

Councillor Robert Gisbourne, Warwickshire County Councillor for community safety and trading standards, said: “Rogue traders often rely on pressure selling, misleading statements and fear tactics. Their targeting of vulnerable residents is utterly deplorable.

“Our Trading Standards Service will continue to work tirelessly to identify, investigate and prosecute rogue traders. Anyone considering targeting residents in Warwickshire should be very clear about this; we will be utterly committed to pursuing offenders through the courts.”

Doherty appeared before Recorder Mason KC at Warwick Crown Court on Monday October 19 for sentencing.

The court placed significant weight on the fact that Mr Doherty had paid his victims back the sum of £18,450, that he was only 21 years old at the time of the offence and that it was his first offence.

Letters of mitigation were shown to the court stating that he had been struggling emotionally with various drink and gambling issues.

Doherty was handed a 27-month sentence for the trading standards fraud offences together with a consecutive nine months for a section 20 offence (Offences against the Person Act 1861) and a concurrent three months for the offence of having a bladed article (suspended).

He was ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid work and attend 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

A five-year director’s disqualification order was also made.

Trading Standards advice

• Never simply buy straight from the door or from an advertisement in a flyer or magazine.
• Check traders independently. Ask for references. Speak to friends and family first when seeking recommendations.
• Always get at least three written quotes and a written contract before work starts.
• Rogue traders often use scare tactics and claim repairs are urgently needed. Never be rushed into making a quick decision.
• For more consumer advice, including our Trading Standards approved trader scheme - No Rogue Traders Here - visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/doorstepsellers
• Remember: If someone knocks on your door offering to carry out repairs or claiming they've spotted a problem, it's usually best to say, "No thank you" and seek your own trader.