Cornwall Rogue Trader Jailed for Defrauding Customers of £90,000

A rogue trader from Cornwall, who defrauded customers of £90,000, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison. Leonard Jesse James Richards, aged 24, of Whitemoor, St Austell, was prosecuted by Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud related to roofing and building works at four properties across Cornwall.

Shoddy Workmanship and Fraudulent Practices

Leonard Jesse James Richards’ fraudulent activities left a trail of devastation at several properties. In one instance, a homeowner who hired Richards to convert a holiday home was left with a scene of devastation. Richards removed load-bearing walls without proper roof support, installed poor plumbing, and left dangerous electrical work. The project, initially quoted at £10,000, spiralled to over £17,000.

At another property, Richards was hired to clean moss off the roof, clear gutters, and repair the garden room roof. He pressured the homeowners into agreeing to replace the entire garden room roof, demanding £3,800 for new roof trusses. Richards provided a fake invoice from a non-existent timber frame company to reassure the residents. However, he failed to progress with the work, leaving large holes that caused water damage. When confronted about the delays, Richards falsely claimed his wife had died, a lie that was uncovered when officers spoke to her.

Court’s Stern Verdict

Sentencing at Truro Crown Court on Friday, July 19, 2024, Recorder Simon Levene condemned Richards’ actions. “The victims forked out a lot of money to you, some for work that was not necessary and in addition it cost them to then rectify the works,” Levene stated. “The total paid out to you by them was approximately £45,000 and the cost to them overall was £90,000. That is £90,000 lost to them. The effect of what you did to them will be very long-lasting. It is immensely distressing and disturbing for the victims, bearing in mind what you put them through.”

Council’s Response

Councillor Martyn Alvey, the cabinet member responsible for Public Protection at Cornwall Council, praised the efforts of the Trading Standards team. “I thank the team for all their hard work in securing justice on behalf of the customers who not only lost thousands of pounds but were put through an awful lot of stress due to this man’s actions. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour. Where traders fail to carry out work they have been paid to do to the required standard, we will take action.”

Richards’ sentencing serves as a warning to other rogue traders in Cornwall, reinforcing the council’s commitment to protecting residents from fraudulent activities.