Rogue gardener botched work after targeting customers on Facebook
A rogue gardener who made false claims to attract customers on Facebook while carrying out poor, unfinished work has been handed a 12-month community order.
James Worsey, who traded as KJGS Gardening Services, admitted being involved in a fraudulent business at Dudley Magistrates' Court on May 9.
Dudley Council, prosecuting, told the court two customers from Quarry Bank and Halesowen had employed and paid Worsey, of Halesowen Road, Dudley, to carry out garden improvements after seeing his claims to have had a number of satisfied commercial clients.
In both cases, he failed to advice of cancellation rights and carried out work of such poor quality, it had to be re-done.
In Quarry Bank, he installed a fence – which fell over the following day – and an Astro Turf lawn, which later had to be re-laid.
Rubbish
He also dumped rubbish on a neighbour’s garden after charging to remove it and failed to return to complete the job or remedy the problems.
While in Halesowen he installed another Astro Turf lawn, which was so uneven it had to be taken up and re-laid.
He also failed to lay drains properly, charged for a skip which he didn’t provide and left rubbish on site.
The court imposed a 12-month community order on the 27-year-old – with a six-month curfew between the hours of 7.30pm and 7.30am.
He was also ordered to pay £1,660 in compensation to the two customers and £700 in costs.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: “This prosecution sends out a clear message – we will protect consumers from the activity of rogue traders who flout the law and carry out sub standard work.
“This kind of activity causes a huge amount of distress to the victims who have worked hard and saved to pay for improvements to their homes and are then badly let down.”
Anyone who is suspicious of rogue traders or doorstep callers, can call the Bogus Caller Hotline on 01384 812045 to report an incident.
