He left his house in a dangerous and unfinished state
A rogue builder in West Sussex has been ordered to pay an elderly victim £50,000 after leaving their home in an unfinished and dangerous state.
Carl Roxby of Kithurst Crescent in Worthing was sentenced following an investigation into work he carried out on a home in Storrington between April and September 2022.
Roxby approached the elderly homeowner in April 2022, offering to replace their roof but failed to provide any paperwork formalising the agreement.
Over the following months, he persuaded the victim to hand over £154,000 foradditional works including replacing a flat roof, conservatory, gutters, fascias, soffits and a patio.
Roxby left the work incomplete in September 2022 and stopped responding to the homeowner.
An initial investigation by Trading Standards revealed that his work was substandard, and the victim had been significantly overcharged. As a result, the council secured £50,000 in compensation for the victim.
Roxby pleaded guilty to offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Fraud Act 2006 in November last year.
He has now been sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and must also complete 300 hours of Community Payback and 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue at West Sussex County Council, said:
“Carl Roxby cruelly exploited a vulnerable resident, deceiving them out of their hard-earned money and leaving them with dangerous, incomplete building work.
“This case highlights the invaluable work our Trading Standards team does in protecting our communities and holding rogue traders accountable. No one should have to endure what this victim experienced.
“I’m pleased at the team’s determination to secure compensation and pursue justice for the victim.
“I hope this sentencing serves as a clear warning to unscrupulous builders that we will not tolerate dishonest traders in West Sussex.”
