'Menace' cowboy builder criticized as jailed for intimidating 50 families into paying £650,000 before destroying homes

A 'MENACE' cowboy builder has been jailed for intimidating 50 families into paying £650,000 before destroying their homes.

Lawrence Martin, 36, targeted vulnerable customers, including a woman who had to do work to help her dying father-in-law.

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The unqualified roofer put pressure on customers Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in handing over huge deposits, a court heard.

He then stated that more and more expensive work had to be done, without ever completing a job.

Martijn, van Southamptonleft his victims with destroyed homes and empty bank accounts, with one couple losing £110,000.

His work was so shoddy that many customers demanded a refund, only to be told you have a better chance of winning the prize. lottery“.

Many ended up making even more money to repair the damage Martin had done.

Some terrified customers even changed their locks to prevent Martin from returning.

Mark and Chrissie Bacon spent £44,000 converting a garage to house her terminally ill father-in-law.

But Martin did a bod job after they hired him in the summer of 2021.

Chrissie, 52, had hoped to have her father-in-law home Christmas with them.

But after the bodge job, he died without being able to spend his last days with his family.

Chrissie said: “It was a very expensive and painful mistake and this has been the worst time of our lives.

'During this time Dad's health deteriorated. We pestered Lawrence more and more to finish the house, but he wouldn't do it.'

The couple spent all their savings and even had to remortgage their house, before having to spend an extra £46,000 to repair Martin's work.

Chrissie said: “We have lived here for 16 years and this has been our forever home.”

The cowboy builder has now been jailed for five years after admitting two counts of fraudulent trading and one of fraud.

Martin's vulnerable clients included a widow disabilitiesand the family of a terminally ill man.

Prosecutor Ethu Crorie said: “He gave the impression that he was a successful and professional trader.

“Pressure was put on customers to quickly agree to the work.

“Possible dates to start work were suggested but these would only be available if a deposit was paid.

“Once work had started, he would often identify further work and costs would mount.

“Customers felt obliged to agree to this additional work for various reasons.

“Martin actually lied about what the… money what it would be used for.”

CRUEL SCAMMER

When customers complained, Martin blamed it on his mother's impending death.

He “exploited consumers' vulnerability” by threatening dismissal if they complained, the court heard.

Crorie said: “When he refunded people it was, it seems, only with the intention of getting them to remove negative reviews from various sites.”

The roofer's work was so poor that a homeowner's brother stopped talking to him after recommending Martin.

Sharon Netley and partner Paul Harris came off worst, losing £92,668 and spending £22,000 on repairs.

Martin told the couple that if they withdrew a complaint to Trading Standards he would refund the £50,000 – which he never did.

His interactions with the couple took place while he was on bail, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Sharon said: “We were in debt that we had to pay off loans from the bank, credit cards.”

Crorie said: 'This defendant should not be doing this kind of work at all.

“He is clearly absolutely incompetent. He is fundamentally dishonest.”

In a Police interview he admitted he had no formal roofing qualifications.

Martin also admitted he had never heard of the Competent Roofer Scheme.

Are lawyer Jennifer Brenton said he felt remorse and wanted to apologize to his victims.

'Disgraceful'

Judge Peter Henry said: 'He may be incompetent at building, but he is not incompetent at defrauding people.

“Serious, harmful harm has been caused by you; your consumers have incurred significant costs.

'Not just in terms of financial loss, but also in terms of healthanxiety and depression and the work they had to do to get their property properly repaired.

“Your disgraceful behavior has gone on for a very long time.

'You defrauded more than fifty victims, you used them bullying and aggressive behavior towards your customers.

“This included using a false identity to continue committing fraud.

“People like you pose a major threat; they not only give the construction industry a bad name, but also cause devastating injuries to victims.”

“The impact of what you did on people is significant. Many of your customers were vulnerable.”

Martin was sentenced to five years in prison, half of which he will serve before being released on license.

He was also made subject to a 10-year criminal behavior order, banning him from carrying out any form of construction or roofing work.

But Martin is allowed to work as an electrician after his release.