A Mansfield man has pleaded guilty to leaving his customers with unfinished work on their homes in double glazing scam.
James Alexander Grozier, who left four customers with unfinished window projects and conservatories, has been given 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £3,905 in compensation.
Grozier, of Muskham court, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to three charges under the Fraud Act 2006 and one charge under Consumer Protection from the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates Court on January 13, Grozier’s case was led by the Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards.
Grozier left two customers with only the base of a conservatory losing them both over £4,000 in construction costs and leaving one customer having to pay £3,500 to get another fitter to complete the unfinished work.
The court heard how he also took deposits from two customers to replace glass panels but never fitted them.
Councillor Glynn Gilfoyle, chair of Nottinghamshire County Council’s community safety committee described Grozier’s behaviour as despicable.
She said:
It’s despicable that cowboy traders such as Grozier leave their customers with unfinished or even untouched projects, leaving them in some cases thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Trading under the name ‘Star Home Improvements’ and ‘Summer Home Improvements’, most of Grozier’s customers responded to leaflets posted through their door.
Councillor Gilfoyle advised that residents seek recommendations from friends or family or use a trusted trader when looking for someone to carry out work on their home.
If anyone has a problem with a ‘rogue trader’ they should report the problem to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.
