Builder faces threat of jail; RIP-OFF: Homeowners paid thousands for shoddy work.

Byline: Michael Corley

A COWBOY builder who took tens of thousands of pounds from homeowners without completing work could face jail if he continues to rip customers off.

Paul Henstone, from Leamington, who traded as Rock Construction and Roofing - formerly Blackdown Construction - has been handed an Enforcement Order after a catalogue of complaints about shoddy work was placed before Coventry County Court.

Warwickshire Trading Standards Service won the injunction after Henstone charged one customer more than pounds 40,000 before abandoning the work in a dangerous condition.

A second building company had to complete the work at an extra cost of pounds 20,000.

Shoddy and unsafe work, delays, demands for additional payments, damaged property, and inaccurate paperwork were just some of the complaints made against Henstone.

Clients had also received a list of references from mainly family members, including Henstone's partner, mother, and step-father.

He'd previously been prosecuted by Solihull Borough Council for similar offences.

Various works were to be carried out on another client's property, which Henstone said would cost pounds 25,100 and take 12 weeks to complete.

After 11 months the job was still not finished.

The consumer had paid almost pounds 28,000 to Henstone, and then a further pounds 11,500 to rectify mistakes and complete the job.

Described as a "cowboy builder" by Judge Gregory, he went on to describe the evidence against Henstone as "overwhelming".

Mark Ryder, head of Trading Standards for Warwickshire County Council, said: "Home improvements can amount to thousands of pounds, and the effects of having this type of work done badly can be devastating fi- nancially and emotionally to customers.

" This case sends a clear message that the courts take a dim view of improper building practices." The order will force Henstone to: stop breaching customers'

contracts, by completing work that's safe and on time remove waste from customers' homes stop demanding extra payment pay suppliers and contractors hand over customers' electrical safety certificates, and other documentation stop damaging customers' properties stop misleading customers about price and the work done stop making misrepresentations about references stop omitting details about who owns the business If Henstone breaches this order he can be hauled back before a judge for contempt of court.

This could result in a fine, or even prison..