A rogue builder has been prosecuted following a joint operation between Havering Council’s Trading Standards team and local Police.
Ashley Antony Daley, 43, a former Hornchurch resident now living in Barking, was given a suspended prison sentence after he cheated several Havering residents out of thousands of pounds.
An investigation by the Council’s Trading Standards team discovered that a number of residents had employed the same builder to carry out work at their homes.
The works were either not completed or were below standard.
Money had been paid by residents to the trader, who, after carrying out the initial works, then disappeared and refused to return or finish the works.
He also failed to respond to requests from residents for refunds or completion of works.
Met Police then joined the operation and a warrant was obtained for an address in Hornchurch, where Daley was arrested and then later charged with fraud offences.
In June 2023 a plea was accepted at Snaresbrook Crown Court from Daley to three counts of fraud relating to residents within Havering and a resident within another London borough.
On Friday 6 September 2024, Daley was sentenced in regards to the fraud offences and received 16 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our priority. Many residents were put in a vulnerable situation by this person and we took the strongest action.
“It is another good example of our partnership working with the Police and listening to our residents.
"We encourage them to continue to report things that don’t seem right, so we can look to support them.”
Detective Sergeant Nicola Dunn, from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime unit, said
“This sentencing marks a significant achievement in protecting vulnerable members of our community.
“Our strong partnerships with Trading Standards and the local authority were crucial in bringing this rogue trader to justice.
“This case sends a clear message that this kind of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”