A builder has been prosecuted for taking cash in advance for unfinished construction work in Birmingham.

Scott Devlin (44), of Robinson Close, Tamworth, trading as Magical Kitchens and Builders, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and one offence under the Theft Act 1968 at an earlier hearing (25 April 2017). He was given a 24-month prison sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, 27 June.

In addition, Mr Devlin's nephew Craig Dunn (33), of Turchill Drive, Sutton Coldfield also pleaded guilty to two offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, was ordered to pay £4,000 costs and carry out 250 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

The court heard how the council's Trading Standards Officers received a number of complaints via Action Fraud from customers who were left out of pocket due to the unfinished work. Many had to pay a new contractor to complete Mr Devlin's unfinished projects.

-- Advertisement --

Mr Devlin admitted making dishonest representations, failing to disclose information legally required and not completing building work as agreed at properties in Selly Park Road, Selly Oak; Weymoor Road, Harborne; High Heath Close, Bournville; and Linthurst Road, Barnt Green, between November 2013 and January 2015.

In addition, he was made bankrupt in November 2013 and no longer had a bank account. He arranged for customers to make further payments into Mr Dunn's account – which Dunn would withdraw for Devlin. Homeowners had made payments ranging from £2,535 to £139,000. Mr Devlin's period of bankruptcy ended in November 2014.

Cllr Barbara Dring, chair of the city council's Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: "Birmingham Trading Standards received a number of complaints about Scott Devlin's trading practices, which often left his customers out of pocket with unfinished work done to their homes.

"Having any kind of building or maintenance work done to your home can be stressful and costly but these customers were misled about the builder's reputation and ability to complete jobs on budget and to time.

"This is why it's vital that we bring cases like this to the public's attention – to ensure they avoid becoming victims of cowboy builders like this.”

(LM/MH)