‘Despicable’ builder took cash for job never begun
A builder has been branded ‘despicable’ after he took hundreds of pounds from a householder for work never begun.
On one occasion, John Reid, 42, of Mardale Street, Hetton, told the woman his failure to get the job started was because his grandfather had died.
He later claimed both he and his girlfriend had been hospitalised separately – and he even turned up with a band aged wrist, a court heard.
And on other occasions in August and September 2020, he told his victim the weather was too inclement.
By that point, he had already pocketed £840 in cash from the Houghton woman in two tranches of £340 and £500.
Despite being found guilty at trial of theft from a person, his solicitor said he still maintained his innocence.
Magistrates in South Tyneside told Reid his crime was “despicable” and warned they had considered jailing him.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson said: “The lady who is the complainant had used the defendantsometime before to do some work on her house.
“On July 28, 2020, she contacted him further to do some pointing. He attended on August 1 and quoted £840.
“He asked for £300 up front for materials and then rang to ask for the remainder because he was a bit short.
“He came back later that day and got £540 and said he would start work on August 3. Low and behold, he didn’t turn up.
“He then rang to say his grandfather had died, and by September 2 it was still a noshow, he said he had been in hospital. She told him that she didn’t believe him. He turned up with a bandage on his wrist.”
After another no-show, whenhesaidhisgirlfriendwas in hospital, the householder rang him to say she wanted her money back.
Joanne Gatens, defending, said: “I can’t mitigate the offence because the defendant maintains that he is innocent of the offences.”
Magistrates ordered Reid to repay the money in entirety to the householder as compensation, and he must pay £620 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
He was also handed a 12-month community order, with 250 hours of unpaid work.