AT CAERNARFON Crown Court on April 15, 2026, Joseph Thomas trading as C & J Roofing and Building pleaded guilty to section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006, namely fraud by false representation.
In 2024, Mr Thomas had been contacted by an elderly man from Llanelian, who requested guttering repair work be carried out. Joseph Thomas had insisted various other work was required: removal of ivy, felling of trees and the installation of a fence to the side of the property.
Mr Thomas demanded payment of £17,000 for the work – cheques for £5,000 and £7,000 respectively, and a £5,000 bank transfer, which the 84 year old victim felt compelled to pay.
On receiving a complaint, Conwy Trading Standards obtained the services of an independent surveyor to assess the work and provide a costing on how much the work should have cost. The independent surveyor’s report concluded that the work undertaken should have cost £6432.56, meaning the victim had been overcharged by £10,567.44.
The case was adjourned to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, with a date for sentencing scheduled for May 21, 2026.
Conwy County Borough Council’s Public Protection Manager, Victoria Stevenson, said: “As a Local Authority we have a duty of care to protect our residents. 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.”
