Rogue builder from Porthcawl handed a custodial prison sentence

Following an investigation by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Shared Regulatory Services (SRS), Michael Anderson, a rogue builder from Porthcawl has been handed a custodial sentence of three years and six months.

Mr Anderson, who appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday (28 April) was accused of defrauding multiple victims out of thousands of pounds. He was found guilty on four counts of fraud and given four years and eight months prison sentence, reduced to three years and six months. Mr Anderson was also charged with three ‘Consumer Protection’ offences which resulted in an eight-month custodial sentence, reduced to six months, to be served concurrently. 

Mr Anderson’s wife, Sandra Anderson, who also appeared in court alongside her husband, was charged with possessing criminal property, namely £35,000 from victims, Andrea Booth and Richard Booth. Mrs Anderson received a prison sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to wear an electronic tag with a curfew of 7pm to 6am.

In the case brought by Bridgend County Borough Council, Cardiff Crown Court heard details from each of the six victims, which were powerfully expressed through the victims’ impact statements. Each victim having been friendly and open people who placed their trust in Mr Anderson, only to have been ‘ripped off’ by his sub-par and incomplete building work on their properties.

There were common themes that ran through each of the victims statements; they all felt that Mr Anderson presented as one of their friends and frequently reassured them that they could trust him, each of the victims were physically and emotionally affected by his actions, losing all of their savings and left with damaged properties or paying significant amounts of money to have the poor work completed by Mr Anderson rectified, and all of the victims have lost their friendly and trusting nature. 

The devastating impact of Mr and Mrs Anderson’s actions has left their victims distraught, some with suicidal thoughts, faced with having to sell their dream house, their retirement plans now being replaced with plans of how to manage financial hardship and losses in their family at such a difficult time. 

When sentencing, Judge Eugene Egan, submitted that the defendants left a ‘trail of misery’ through their actions, causing decent and hardworking people emotional and financial distress. The powerful victim impact statements were described by the Judge to be a harrowing listening and reading, Mr Anderson had clearly shattered people’s lives and dreams.

Despite being told in mitigation that Mrs Anderson had limited involvement and was essentially controlled by her husband, the Judge did not accept this. When sentencing Mrs Anderson, he submitted that she was fully aware of what was going on and facilitated her husband’s criminality. He added that Mr Anderson had a reckless disregard for his victims and ripped off decent and hardworking people.

A Proceeds of Crime timetable has been set with the intention of securing compensation for the victims.

Welcoming the outcome of the prosecution, Councillor Hywel Williams, the council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, said: “Once again, we are frustrated to witness how the fraudulent actions of these individuals has severely impacted their victims in this case.

“I would urge residents be extra careful when choosing traders to work in their homes. And recommend that you look for someone who is a member of a relevant trade association or responsible trader scheme; and always ask to see examples of other work they have carried out. You are also legally allowed to cancel contracts made in your home.

“Rogue traders cause financial and psychological distress to their victims and families, who lose their hard-earned savings on work that is unnecessary, poorly done or incomplete.

“Cases like this seriously affect consumer confidence in the local building trade, but we hope that sentences like the one given on Monday will act as a significant deterrent and demonstrate just how seriously our Shared Regulatory Services team and the courts take these matters.”

You can find further advice on how to avoid rogue traders, and how to report a problem if something does goes wrong by visiting the SRS website.