Builder in dock over alleged £60k fraud

A builder is due to stand trial accused of defrauding clients across Tayside out of more than £60,000 over two years.

Norman Hughes, 35, is facing six charges alleging he failed to complete promised tasks and that the jobs he did finish were done in a “grossly negligent and unworkmanlike manner” on various dates between October 1 2014 and December 30 2016.

Hughes, of Abbey Road, Scone, denied all accusations at Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday and will be tried on January 8.

It is alleged that he committed to carry out work on a property at Sharps Lane in Dundee, charging Johanne Dickson £24,400. He is said to have failed to replace guttering, a chimney, hall flooring or finish door repairs.

Hughes was also allegedly employed by Susan and Paul Collins to replace a roof and guttering and carry out harling work on their property in Rattray, Blairgowrie.

The charge alleges he failed to finish the roof, make it watertight or attach it to the building. He is also accused of failing to fix holes, replace guttering or complete harling work to an acceptable standard, obtaining £12,000 by fraud.

He is further alleged to have charged Patricia Dorovic £4,370 to carry out repairs to Birk Guest House on Arbroath Road. He is accused of not replacing items, properly laying underlay, removing felt, and failing to coat fiberglass, as well as leaving damp patches.

It’s also alleged Joan Seal and Garry Mitchell hired Hughes to lay Resibond on a courtyard and steps at a house on Springfield Terrace, Dundee. The work was allegedly carried out incorrectly and he was said to have failed to carry out repairs despite giving a verbal guarantee, obtaining £5,000 by fraud.

Hughes is further accused of defrauding Robert and Gail Ritchie of £8,800 by failing to complete all work he said he would do on their property at Station Road, Longforgan, failing to secure roof tiles and grade the roof.

Finally, the prosecution alleges that, while acting with another, Hughes scammed John Fuller out of £7,000 for a loft conversion at Burn Street in Dundee. The charge states that there was failure to fit a beam and support and to properly install a Velux window, windowsills and roof timbers, as well as a failure to fix floor joints correctly and to certify electrical work.