A rogue Suffolk builder who conned customers by taking deposits worth over £17,000 for work that was never carried out has been sentenced following a prosecution by Suffolk Trading Standards.

Jack Doran repeatedly fobbed off complaints with excuses as to why work was not being done.

Doran, 40, traded as JD Roofing and General Building Ltd of Manor Road, Felixstowe, but his home address is in Harlow, Essex.

At Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, 12 August he was given a six month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, by Judge David Wilson.

This was reduced from nine months due to an early plea.

Doran was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work over the next 18 month, ordered to attend a rehabilitation course to avoid future offending, and told to pay £2,500 compensation, to be split £500 per consumer and paid at £100 month starting from October 1.

He was disqualified as a director for five years.

Doran had previously admitted defrauding customers by taking 50% deposits and additional payments for roofing services and materials not provided, and dishonestly incurring debts in the course of trade, both contrary to the Companies Act 2006.

Suffolk Trading Standards was first contacted about him in April 2022 where a customer from Felixstowe complained they had paid £5,900 for work to replace a roof but which had not been carried out.

In August 2022 a second complaint was received where a customer in Felixstowe paid just over £4,000 for work that never happened.

Neighbours of the first complainant were then identified as further victims.

They paid £1,200 deposit in advance but no work at all was carried out on their property and no scaffolding installed.

All victims received invoices or estimates at the beginning of contracts that stipulated 50% deposits up front, all payable to a bank account in the name of JD Roofing & General Building Ltd.

During the contracts, and despite work not proceeding, at least two of the victims were talked into making further payments under pressure that the business was struggling financially and without further payments the work could not continue.

One paid £1,247 and then another £150 was requested. A second victim paid a further payment of £750 after initially paying £1,440.

Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said: "The actions of Jack Doran have caused financial loss and significant undue stress to his victims and their families. I would like to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and supporting the investigation. 

"The consumers trusted the business and they were let down. Doran pocketed thousands of pounds paid to him in good faith and he then spun a web of lies and excuses as to why he was not carrying out the agreed work."

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Public Health and Public Protection, said: "This is another great result for our Trading Standards Team and sends a clear message that rogue traders are not welcome in Suffolk.

"Residents are reminded to always thoroughly research any individual or business before hiring them to carry out work and to always be cautious when paying money upfront.

"I would strongly encourage anyone looking for a trader to get a range of quotes from reputable traders either through recommendations from people you trust, or a Trading Standards approved trader from our Suffolk Trusted Trader scheme."

After sentencing, one of Doran's victims, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: "Jack Doran lied to us, and I feel let down, disappointed, and stupid for being so easily manipulated.

"My trust in builders has been eroded. Throughout the process of continually giving excuses for not starting the work, our patience and tolerance were completely abused."

The victim said they had contacted Doran after he put an advert on Facebook following a major storm, offering to repair roof damage.

They added: "Doran's estimate of a simple two-day job was rubbish, as the job eventually needed some major rebuilding. Not only did this cost us considerably more, but over that time the cost of materials increased vastly.

"We are pensioners with a limited income. The fact we were conned makes me feel vulnerable and wary that in the future we could be exploited."

Anyone who believes they are a victim of a rogue trader, or are concerned that a neighbour or family member may be, please report it to Trading Standards via 0808 223 1133.

To find a trader that you can trust, consult the Suffolk Trusted Trader directory and choose with confidence: trustedtrader.team/Suffolk/