Cowboy builder left customer who paid £38k with unfinished extension

A ROGUE builder who left a customer who paid £38,000 with an unfinished extension has been fined by the courts.

In July 2021, Lee Durney, formerly of Great Sankey, agreed to build an extension at the home of a consumer in Newton-le-Willows.

The customer paid Durney, now of Vine Street, Wigan, more than £38,000 for the building work.

But progress on the work was slow and thousands of pounds worth of materials that had been paid for were never delivered.

Attempts to get Durney to finish the extension were ignored so eventually, after significant stress and inconvenience, the customer had to pay another builder £61,000 to finish the extension.

In September 2022, the customer reported Durney to Warrington Trading Standards and following investigations, the work was accessed by building expert who found it was worth no more than £11,000.

The 52-year-old Durney appeared before Warrington Magistrates Court in May, where he entered guilty pleas to four offences contrary to the Fraud Act 2006, and the matter was adjourned for sentencing.

Earlier this month, Durney appeared back before the court for sentencing.

He received a six-month prison sentence suspended for 24 months.

Magistrates also ordered Durney to pay compensation of £27,000 and costs of £3,108.

David Boyer, Director of Environment and Transport, said: “This case sends a clear message to rogue builders that this will not be tolerated, and we will investigate and take action through the courts.”

Warrington Trading Standards works in partnership with Citizens Advice consumer helpline who provide consumer advice and support for trading standards.

For more information, visit the Citizens Advice website, complete the online complaint form or phone the helpline number, which is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm on 0808 223 1133.