Rogue Lancaster roofer gets 24 weeks jail for fraud and aggresive behaviour towards pensioner

A rogue Lancaster roofer has been sentenced to 24 weeks in prison for fraud and being “aggressive” to an elderly man.
Price was sentenced to two years prison at Preston Crown CourtPrice was sentenced to two years prison at Preston Crown Court
Price was sentenced to two years prison at Preston Crown Court

Jay Barry Price, 21, trading as P & T Property Maintenance, Pinfold Lane, admitted four charges of fraud and of engaging as a trader in a commercial practice which was aggressive.

Price appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentencing on Friday August 16, where court papers reveal he tried to persuade an 80 year-old householder in South Lakeland who lives alone to proceed with building work when it was clear he didn’t want to.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After no more than four hours work the elderly man was presented with a bill for £4,100.

The householder told Price he couldn’t afford this. Price pressurised the elderly gentleman into paying.

An independent surveyor valued the work at no more than £50.

Price admitted to being “aggressive” towards his victim; and being “very pushy” in getting the householder to eventually agree to fitting new splash boards to prevent damp and replacing damaged roof tiles.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Price also admitted four charges of fraud by false representation. These charges reveal he purportedly provided the victim with a document to sign and agree building work and prices building work quotation.

But, by signing this document, the victim was “actually purportedly waiving” his legal rights to cancel the contract.

Price also presented the victim with a bill for £4,100 for work which had never been completed.

Coun Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said: “This case should act as a warning to others.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am delighted to see that justice has been served for the aggressive and deceitful practices that this criminal pursued.

“The actions of rogue traders can have a significant financial and emotional impact on consumers, particularly the most vulnerable members of our communities. “This result is testament to the hard work of the Council’s Trading Standards officers.

“Due to the nature of these crimes Cumbria Trading Standards treat this work as a priority and work with partner agencies such as Cumbria Police to help raise awareness and tackle potential offenders.”

*If anyone thinks they have been a victim of a rogue trader can contact Trading Standards on 03454 04 05 06.