Ripped off By Builder

Happytogetdebtfree

Good luck with the police and hopefully things will be sorted out.. yay on the rug for the floor boards xxx

miggy

Hot water's a big step forward.

I am amazed at Trading Standards, but I would imagine when they hear more from you they may change their opinion. Good luck for tomorrow.

lisawaters

JohnnyJet wrote: »

Got a letter from Trading Standards saying that they don't think he has committed a criminal act based on what I have told them. Also they will only act if another person complains. So stealing money, leaving a ruined house and making a family homeless is no longer a criminal offence!! What a joke. At least they have given me a direct number to discuss the matter if I want to. They haven't even seen my evidence. Needless to say I will be straight onto them tomorrow demanding a face to face meeting. Regarding the police, they will now contact me tomorrow. There must be an agency out there that will take this case seriously.

The house hasn't really moved on in the last couple of weeks, except for having the boiler fitted and we now have hot water. Still no radiators hence no heating. I have another rug for the floor so I am gradually covering the floor boards.

Sadly this is what I found too. Maybe review the One Show I did (Youtube the dolls house paul bridle) - the head of TS was interviewed and says the conditions under which they will act. Basically none in a case like this. It's not deemed criminal by anyone so court/CCJ/Charging Order is the only route. Please try for a no-win no fee solicitor. There must be one somewhere? I finished up doing it all myself because no-one else would.

It may be immoral to rip people off but unless you do it too often (15-16 times) and it's reported, nobody will act. My MP just sympathised. He got a better job in the cabinet I think!

You might be the one to get the law changed but this is where I came in.

Did Cowboy Trap do any work? Any idea when it's on?

M

MatyMoo

JohnnyJet wrote: »

Got a letter from Trading Standards saying that they don't think he has committed a criminal act based on what I have told them. Also they will only act if another person complains. So stealing money, leaving a ruined house and making a family homeless is no longer a criminal offence!! What a joke. At least they have given me a direct number to discuss the matter if I want to. They haven't even seen my evidence. Needless to say I will be straight onto them tomorrow demanding a face to face meeting. Regarding the police, they will now contact me tomorrow. There must be an agency out there that will take this case seriously.

The house hasn't really moved on in the last couple of weeks, except for having the boiler fitted and we now have hot water. Still no radiators hence no heating. I have another rug for the floor so I am gradually covering the floor boards.

Not moved on???? A boiler and hot water is huge progress, especially with children around. Rugs to cover the floorboards is another step forward,even if it is only keeping dust levels at bay and making the place more comfortable and homely. Give yourself a break JJ, this really is a move forward.

lisawaters wrote: »

Sadly this is what I found too. Maybe review the One Show I did (Youtube the dolls house paul bridle) - the head of TS was interviewed and says the conditions under which they will act. Basically none in a case like this. It's not deemed criminal by anyone so court/CCJ/Charging Order is the only route. Please try for a no-win no fee solicitor. There must be one somewhere? I finished up doing it all myself because no-one else would.

It may be immoral to rip people off but unless you do it too often (15-16 times) and it's reported, nobody will act. My MP just sympathised. He got a better job in the cabinet I think!

You might be the one to get the law changed but this is where I came in.

Did Cowboy Trap do any work? Any idea when it's on?

M

See you still have strange sleeping patterns Mike!

I know it must seem dis-heartening to keep knocking on doors and getting nowhere, but one will be the right one (or at least I would have to believe that to enable me to keep fighting on!).

MatyMoo

JohnnyJet

lisawaters wrote: »

Sadly this is what I found too. Maybe review the One Show I did (Youtube the dolls house paul bridle) - the head of TS was interviewed and says the conditions under which they will act. Basically none in a case like this. It's not deemed criminal by anyone so court/CCJ/Charging Order is the only route. Please try for a no-win no fee solicitor. There must be one somewhere? I finished up doing it all myself because no-one else would.

It may be immoral to rip people off but unless you do it too often (15-16 times) and it's reported, nobody will act. My MP just sympathised. He got a better job in the cabinet I think!

You might be the one to get the law changed but this is where I came in.

Did Cowboy Trap do any work? Any idea when it's on?

M

I have tried for a no win no fee and they did take the case on until he took all the assets out his company. They are willing to open the case up again if the police or TS prosecute, then it will become a personal prosecution.

Got in contact with the Police and TS today and they are both going to look at the case further, already have a meeting with the Police arranged and TS should be soon.

CT helped with the kitchen and bannisters which enabled us to move in, the show is planned to be shown in October.

JohnnyJet

Spent 2 hours going through the details with the police today, they say that he has committed loads of civil offences but they can't see a criminal offence so they won't arrest him. Told me to go to TS as they may be more interested. I seem to be going round and round in circles. Still being pestered by him so I may have to pay more money to go to court myself. I feel so depressed about it all.

Happytogetdebtfree

Sorry to hear this jj, i have no wise words i hope someone wll be along to help soon hugs xx

miggy

It seems to me that it would take your case a good step forward if you could find someone else who's suffered at his hands. Do you know of anyone else who's employed him, whether or not they've had problems? If so, they might be able to refer you on to others.
Where did you get to with local papers? If you could get anything published, it might bring other people out of the woodwork. Or has his van been parked outside other people's houses indicating he might now be working elsewhere?
I don't know if you could get anywhere by going back through planning permission notices, which would show you where major alterations have been made locally. I don't think other local builders would want to talk about if they've been called in to fix up some property he's left, but they just might.
If only you could get to even just one other person who's had problems with him, you would be so much further towards having the 'powers that be' on your side - but if he's threatened you, he has probably intimidated other people into saying nothing.
This is just me thinking aloud and you may have looked into all these avenues already of course. I don't blame you for feeling dragged down by it. Remember you can always go to your doctor when it's getting to you, they can be very helpful.
Look after yourself.

JohnnyJet

I do know someone else that believe he has taken additional money from to a lesser extent but they want the easy life and don't want to say anything. The newspapers were very helpful and they did a report on it but can't name him until the police or TS get involved. As for seeing his vans well that won't happen as he has sold them and bought some new, unmarked ones.
I'm not at all worried by his threats, there is nothing I can do about it because whatever I do he still communicates with me, what ever happens, happens. I won't let him intimidate me and the more he does it the more I am determined to do something about it.
I did think about going to the doctors but I really don't want to go down the route of relying on pills, but I think my health is starting to suffer along with my wife's.

miggy

JohnnyJet wrote: »

I do know someone else that believe he has taken additional money from to a lesser extent but they want the easy life and don't want to say anything. The newspapers were very helpful and they did a report on it but can't name him until the police or TS get involved. As for seeing his vans well that won't happen as he has sold them and bought some new, unmarked ones.
I'm not at all worried by his threats, there is nothing I can do about it because whatever I do he still communicates with me, what ever happens, happens. I won't let him intimidate me and the more he does it the more I am determined to do something about it.
I did think about going to the doctors but I really don't want to go down the route of relying on pills, but I think my health is starting to suffer along with my wife's.

Would the other person be able to put you on to anyone else who might have suffered similarly?
He definitely takes pains to cover his tracks, doesn't he?!
As for the doctors, I feel the same as you though the causes are different. To my surprise, although she said they would give me pills if necessary, so far that hasn't happened. However, I do feel I've been helped as they have other tricks up their sleeves! I know you will expect me to say your health is important, and I won't disappoint you - it is! Even if you put off doing anything for your own sake (and perhaps you keep going from day to day because you can, and you're still here so you feel you must be coping right?) still you need to keep yourself in the best shape possible for the sake of your family. If that means the doctor, or time for yourself, then those are well worth doing, however hard it seems when you're in the middle of it all.
I can see you are determined and fighting back, :T:T:T but you will fight best when you invest in yourself.
JMO

Keep up the good work!