Fraudulent builder to do 300 hours community work

A builder who took £90,000 from a family to build an extension for two of their children, but did not finish the work, will have to complete 300 hours of unpaid work.

James O'Shaughnessy, 41, from Marlborough, who traded as EJ Build and Renovate, was sentenced to the 18-month community order after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud at Salisbury Crown Court.

If he breaches the order, he was warned he would be jailed for more than two years.

One of the victims said the ordeal had made him a "somewhat bitter, cynical and altered man".

The impact statement said: "I feel hurt and puzzled. Puzzled – to this day not fully knowing what ever happened to our hard-earned money nor whether we will ever see it repaid."

It mentioned that O'Shaughnessy did not show remorse: "I am not a builder but have had to pick up the pieces of a failed build and empty bank account.

"I have promised two of my three children a new room each and I will deliver. They have been so patient and supportive. I hope they understand that the person I am now – a somewhat bitter, cynical and altered man – is not the real me."

The couple from Marlborough had contacted O'Shaughnessy in August 2022 to build an extension to their family home and were quoted £116,700 for the work. 

Taking deposits totalling almost £90,000, he claimed the money would be used to purchase materials which would be kept in his lockup.

When O'Shaughnessy's appearances at the site became sporadic, the couple asked for invoices showing the materials purchased, but they were never provided.

They wanted to come to an arrangement and get another builder, but he said costs of £69,000 had been incurred. However, a professional surveyor valued the work at just £26,000.

O'Shaughnessy was unable or unwilling to supply the materials the victims had paid for, or refund. 

At the hearing, the judge also ordered Mr O'Shaughnessy to pay £114 compensation to the victims.

A County Court claim made by the couple was found in their favour, but not settled by O'Shaughnessy, who also has a number of other County Court Judgements against him.

Sarah Valdus, Director Environment at Wiltshire Council, explained that the authority will keep taking action against rogue traders: "We don't want anyone else to have to go through the same. Being a victim of this type of crime is an awful experience.

"Wiltshire is full of honest hard-working traders and trusted traders can be found by using an approval scheme such as Buy With Confidence," she added.

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