Rogue trader found guilty of fraudulent trading on home improvement works
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A rogue builder has been found guilty on five counts following shoddy work undertaken on home extensions and home improvements.
Walsall Council’s Trading Standards launched an investigation into Shane Steven Rollinson after receiving complaints from two residents. Initially, Mr. Rollinson appeared as friendly and trustworthy, convincing the residents to undertake more home improvement work than they had originally planned. He demanded upfront payments for materials that often did not arrive, repeatedly asked for more money, citing price increases and the need for better tradesmen. When his tradesmen did turn up, they also asked for more money as Rollinson had not paid them. Additional complaints from outside Walsall reported similar issues.
Despite significant payments, customers received numerous excuses from Mr. Rollinson for his absence, including illness and family emergencies. The financial loss for the two Walsall residents exceeded £31,000, with an independent surveyor deeming the work as poor quality, lacking reasonable care and skill and not fit for purpose. The total value of work for both residents was estimated to be only £2,600.
When he became aware of the Trading Standards investigation, Mr. Rollinson attempted to persuade witnesses to withdraw their evidence so that he would not face criminal charges.
Mr Rollinson used several business names to avoid being detected including SN Brickwork, SSR Brickwork & Driveways and Brickwork Best. He also pretended to be one of his business associates.
Mr Rollinson failed to attend pre-trial review hearings and the case was heard in his absence at Wolverhampton Crown Court from 14 to 16 October 2024. The jury found him guilty on all five counts. One count was for participating in a fraudulent business carried on by a sole trader, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Fraud Act 2006. The other four counts were for acts intending to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law, by contacting witnesses to persuade them to withdraw their involvement.
“ I am appalled of the work that was carried out by Mr Rollinson, leaving residents thousands of pounds out of pocket. Much of the work was never done and some work was done to a very poor standard. I would like to thank our Trading Standards team for bringing this case to the Crown Court for prosecution.
It is vital that residents are aware of their consumer rights when it comes to trading standards regulations being breached. Officers have the right to inspect and investigate businesses who are not compliant with the law. If you are concerned about a business or trader who is not following the law, please tell us. We will investigate any complaints and if necessary, take every possible legal action against these rogue traders.
The defendant is still at large, and we need your help to locate him. If you have any information, please contact the police. “
Shane Rollinson has not yet been sentenced and a warrant is out for his arrest. Anyone with information of his whereabouts is asked to contact 999 quoting warrant number 20/16736/24.
Residents who are concerned about a rogue business or trader can contact the Trading Standards team on 0808 223 1133 or email tradingstandards@walsall.gov.uk
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- Residents can get free confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues from Citizens Advice. Contact Citizens Advice to make a complaint about a local business or report a breach of Trading Standards law. Citizens Advice work closely with Trading Standards to ensure complaints are passed on for consideration or in serious cases for action.
