April 21, 2026 - 217 views
A roofing contractor has admitted defrauding an elderly man out of more than £10,000 following work at his home in Conwy county.
At Caernarfon Crown Court on April 15, 2026, Joseph Thomas, trading as C & J Roofing and Building, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006.
The court heard that in 2024, the 84-year-old victim from Llanelian initially contacted Thomas to carry out guttering repairs. However, Thomas insisted additional work was needed, including removing ivy, felling trees and installing a fence at the side of the property.
He subsequently demanded £17,000 for the work, receiving two cheques for £5,000 and £7,000, along with a £5,000 bank transfer. The victim later said he felt compelled to make the payments.
Following a complaint, Conwy Trading Standards appointed an independent surveyor to assess the work and provide a fair cost. The report found the work should have totalled £6,432.56, meaning the victim had been overcharged by £10,567.44.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report, with sentencing scheduled for May 21, 2026.
Victoria Stevenson, Public Protection Manager at Conwy County Borough Council, said the case demonstrated the authority’s commitment to protecting residents.
“As a Local Authority we have a duty of care to protect our residents,” she said. “This outcome highlights the hard work undertaken by Conwy Trading Standards Officers in applying the regulations to protect Conwy consumers.
“We are determined to tackle doorstep crime and ensure that these unscrupulous traders think twice before targeting vulnerable residents in Conwy County.”
