⚖️ The director of a driveway company that overcharged customers and performed shoddy work has received a suspended prison sentence at Cardiff Crown Court.
Jeremiah Connors, 32, director of Hometech Driveways Ltd, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting fraudulent trading and four counts of acquiring/using/possessing criminal property after an investigation by Trading Standards.
The court heard that eleven victims, including a 78-year-old woman with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, were ripped off by more than £30,000 in total. Employees cold called customers, started work without permission, and used aggressive tactics to demand payment.
In one case, a 72-year-old man had his driveway dug up without consent and felt he had “no choice” but to continue with the work as they “had him over a barrel”. He paid approximately £5,500 for substandard work that later needed £2,450 in repairs.
Sentencing Connors, Judge Shomon Khan said: “You are responsible for the way a number of people working for you acted. There are a number of victims, some particularly vulnerable and one with dementia, who was cold called and those working for you exploited them.”
The judge added: “That vulnerability, work not done properly, victims being bullied and harassed, work starting without instruction and no contracts at all in relation to shoddy work carried out on your behalf.”
Connors, of Ffordd Williamson, St Mellons, Cardiff, received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work and pay £9,000 in compensation.
