An "exploitative" Harrow builder has been fined thousands after demanded a lump-sum of cash from a customer - before fleeing and leaving their garden in a "shoddy" state.

Rogue builder Thomas Joseph Cash, 27, of Elmgrove Road, bullied his customer into handing more than £3,000 in advance, for work that should have taken a week.

But once Cash, of Driveline Paving & Surfacing, had the money in his hand – he promptly vanished, within days of starting work, leaving their garden work in a dreadful state - "shoddy and half-complete" according to Harrow Council .

The victim’s nightmare kept on going – when a Trading Standards and Building Control inspection revealed the poor quality work had needed planning permission.

Now, the disgraced builder has been forced to pay £9,326 by magistrates following a prosecution by Brent and Harrow Trading Standards.

An inspection revealed the poor quality work had needed planning permission

Cllr Keith Ferry, cabinet member for planning at Harrow Council, said: "This is what we do – we defend our residents in court from the unscrupulous and the exploitative.

"This rogue trader’s behaviour goes beyond unprofessional greed.

"It is criminal behaviour, and thanks to the hard work of our Trading Standards officers we have won justice for his victim and made him pay for his crime."

The garden was left in a dreadful state

Cash initially quoted the homeowner for works in the garden including labour, materials and cleaning up at a property in Harrow at a cost of £4,200.

He then aggressively demanded £2,000 on the very first day work began and later demanded more before laying out the foundation.

Cash was found guilty of four offences including using aggression to demand money, not completing work on agreed time, and for carrying out unprofessional practices leaving work that was sub-standard, at Willesden Magistrates' Court on October 31.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two offences of falsely stating he would remove all waste and not giving the customer any written cancellation rights, on July 11.

Thomas Joseph Cash had bullied his customer into handing over thousands of pounds  in advance

Homeowners are advised that if they are considering and building of landscaping work, not to agree anything until you have properly researched the tradesperson and can be satisfied they are professional.

Harrow Council's advice to homeowners

  • Do not ever agree to building works offered by a cold caller
  • Never pay cash in advance to a builder
  • Where possible, pay by cheque or a credit card
  • Obtain a least two written quotes, ideally three and make sure they include all agreed work and materials
  • Where possible obtain references, or use recommendations of others
  • Look out for trades people who are registered in proper associations or who come recommended on review websites and check their registrations are valid
  • Consult Harrow Council before commencing works to ensure all planning and building controls are being complied with
  • To report a rogue builder or for further help and advice, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06

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