Pembroke man misled homeowner into paying thousands for unnecessary and poor-quality work
A PEMBROKE-BASED rogue trader has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after conning a homeowner into paying thousands of pounds for unnecessary and substandard roofing work.
Twenty-five-year-old Douggie Whitbread, of Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, misled a resident into believing their property “probably needed a new roof”, before charging £4,350 for work that was either not required or carried out to a poor standard.
Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between 12 August and 16 October 2023.
He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. This included £4,350 in compensation to the victim, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.
The case followed a detailed investigation by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team, who gathered evidence showing the homeowner had been deliberately misled about the condition of their roof.
“This conviction sends a clear message that we will not tolerate rogue traders exploiting residents for financial gain. Our Trading Standards team works hard to protect our communities, and I am pleased to see justice served in this case. We urge residents to remain vigilant, seek reputable quotes, and avoid agreeing to work with cold callers or unsolicited traders.”
Commenting on the outcome, Cllr Philippa Leonard, Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection, sai Residents are being encouraged to report any concerns about fraudulent or suspicious trading practices to their local council or through national consumer advice services, as authorities continue to crack down on rogue traders operating across Wales.
