Local rogue builder found guilty of fraud and poor workmanship by Anglesey trading standards
Oswyn Gruffydd Williams, 38, of 31 Maes Meuring, Gwalchmai trading as Anglesey Gardening Services, was found guilty of one charge under the Fraud Act and three charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, including engaging in an aggressive practice and demonstrating a lack of professional diligence, by Holyhead Magistrates court, on the 29th November 2011, following a case brought by Anglesey Trading Standards Section.
A complaint was received by the Trading Standards Section from an elderly vulnerable resident, following work carried out on her property & garden in January 2010. The complainant was led to believe that the trader was called ‘John’, but this turned out to be untrue and the trader was in fact Oswyn Williams. Trading Standards Officers had the work examined by the Police Building Inspector, who described the work as “…one of the most sub standard…” he had seen and “…totally unprofessional…” In addition to the poor workmanship Trading Standards Officers uncovered aggressive practices, whereby Oswyn Williams had used a threatening note to try to intimidate the elderly lady into paying for the work. Despite displaying the ‘Fair Trades’ logo on paperwork and his vehicle, he was found guilty of failing to meet minimum standards of his membership. Senior Enforcement Officer Martin Wyn Jones who led the investigation stated; “When members of the public employ professional builders/gardeners, any prices charged should be fair and reasonable and they should be able to expect the work to be of a professional standard, this was certainly not the case on this occasion.”
Despite Oswyn Williams not receiving any payment for the work carried out at the property, he was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £675, equivalent to over half of the value he had tried to charge for the work, in addition to a criminal record.
Chief Trading Standards Officer David Riley said: “We welcome the conviction and stress that home improvement professional must take responsibility for their actions and ensure work is of a professional standard. Rogue Builders who damage the reputation of genuine traders and prey on the vulnerable; by overcharging, using aggressive trading practices, carrying out substandard work, or general fraudulent activity, will not be tolerated and will be brought before the courts.” He continued “…if any resident has experienced problems of this nature or has concerns about the trading practices of a particular trader they are encouraged to contact the Trading Standards Section on 01248 752 840, so that the matter can be investigated.”