A ROGUE TRADER has been sent to prison for three years and seven months at Cardiff Crown Court.
On March 28, Patrick Teehan, 57 of Caerau, Cardiff was sentenced for participating in a fraudulent business after conning at least 18 victims into having sub‑standard work carried out on their homes. Much of the work was never completed and, where it was, it was carried out to a dangerous and poor standard.
The rogue builder claimed he was competent in a wide range of building projects, agreeing to carry out work including plastering, rendering, loft conversions, conservatories, garage conversions, roof replacements and chimney repairs.
Teehan initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but changed his plea to guilty in November 2025, shortly before the scheduled trial was due to begin.
The prosecution was brought by Shared Regulatory Services, and the offences took place between 2019 and 2021 in Cardiff and across south Wales.
The court heard that Teehan repeatedly agreed contracts, took substantial deposits upfront, often claiming they were needed for materials, and then failed to start or complete the work. In many cases, no materials were ever purchased.
Victims were left with unfinished, unsafe or uninhabitable homes, including properties left without kitchens, roofs or weatherproofing. Several properties required extensive and costly remedial work, while some victims were forced to move out of their homes temporarily. The financial losses to victims were estimated to be more than £100,000, although a figure of £82,632.81 was agreed for sentencing purposes.
The court was told that Teehan used a consistent pattern of excuses to delay or avoid work, including false claims about illness, hospitalisation, deaths in his family, his partner having cancer, and mental health issues. He also misrepresented his business by using misleading or false addresses and continued to take on new work even after entering an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) due to financial difficulties.
Despite repeated complaints, Teehan failed to engage properly with investigators and delayed requested interviews by lying about his health. Not a single job involved in the prosecution was completed to an acceptable standard, and some were not started at all.
Twelve victim impact statements were read out in court during sentencing, with victims describing severe financial hardship, emotional distress and significant disruption to family life. The court heard that the offending had a “serious detrimental effect” on victims and involved sustained dishonesty over a prolonged period.
Councillor Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services at Cardiff Council, said: “The people who carry out these frauds cause immense suffering to their victims, leaving properties in a state of disrepair and often with no option but to pay even more money to rectify dangerous work.
“I am pleased the court has taken these matters very seriously, and I hope the immediate prison sentence given to Mr Teehan provides some form of closure for all the victims involved.”
Teehan was sentenced to 43 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a Victim Surcharge of £181.
