Pelaw rogue builder jailed for fraud after swindling 10 victims out of £44,000

A porch project in North Shields which Anthony New left unfinished
-Credit:Gateshead Council


A rogue builder from Pelaw has been jailed for fraud after swindling 10 victims out of a total of £44,000. The 36-year-old took large cash payments from customers upfront, but then failed to complete the agreed work.

The builder was sentenced to two years and five months in prison, and will serve at least 40% of his sentence, as well as being disqualified from being the director of his own company for 10 years.

Trading Standards received the first complaint about the builder and his work in June of 2021, when he was trading as WR & Sons Building and Plumbing. Three more complaints were received about the poor standard of his work and, after being invited in for an interview in November of that year, the decision was made to prosecute.

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When this process was ongoing, further complaints were sent to Trading Standards, with the builder working under different trading names, EJS Group and Platinum Building and Plumbing.

He would take large upfront payments, and would then start some work, carried out to a poor standard, before coming back sporadically or not returning at all. He told lies about why he could not attend, such as claiming to have had a heart attack, and claiming his whole family had to isolate because of Covid-19.

The builder pleaded guilty to 12 offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which relate to 10 victims with homes in Gateshead, Newcastle and North Tyneside.

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Victim impact statements were read out in the court which, on top of the original fraud, highlighted the additional costs to rectify New’s works and the emotional impact on his victims, said to be significant.

Anneliese Hutchinson, Strategic Director at Gateshead Council, said: "Cases of fraudulent behaviour by rogue contractors can have a devastating impact on their victims.

"I’m glad our officers have taken action to see this individual prosecuted. I would urge anybody with concerns about similar behaviour to contact the council’s trading standards team, and they can investigate."