Workman who hiked prices gets suspended jail term

A tradesman who wiped out a customer's life savings when he charged them £22,000 for substandard roofing work has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Gabby Lee, 27, from Sandhurst in Berkshire, admitted fraud after deliberately hiking prices for work at the property in Amesbury, Wiltshire, over a week in November 2022.

He told the homeowner felt on the roof had rotted through, was brittle and needed replacing and put pressure on them to secure payment.

The Public Protection Partnership, which is operated by West Berkshire and Bracknell Forest councils, said the case highlighted common signs of doorstep and home improvement fraud.

Lee admitted one count of fraud by false representation in February and was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, on Friday. He must also undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.

He had already paid full compensation to the victims prior to sentencing. Lee was also ordered to pay costs of £6,995 and a victim surcharge of £154.

Tom McCann, the chairman of the Joint Public Protection Committee, said: "This case highlights common warning signs of doorstep and home improvement fraud by misrepresenting the necessity of work, escalating prices once work has started, and pressuring residents to pay quickly.

"While we welcome the compensation paid to the victims, it does not erase the significant distress and disruption caused to them."

He added: "Our advice is simple: be cautious of pressure tactics, get written quotes, and seek a second opinion before agreeing to additional work. If something doesn't feel right, report it."