Tamworth Police Station - Photo: Paulette Francessca Sedgwick

Staffordshire Police are warning Tamworth residents of a bogus trader after a builder caused damage to a home after not completing his first job.

The rogue builder targetted the same home in Glascote twice. On Saturday Feb 13, he offered to paint the outside of his home for £580. The 37 year old victim handed the builder the £580 in cash. The paintwork was then primed but not actually completed.

The ofender returned to the same house on Tuesday February 23 and offered to complete the work. Whilst completing the work and without the homeowners permission he removed removed roof tiles, damaged wooden beams and a bedroom ceiling.

The rogue builder then demanded over £1,250 deposit to fix the damage, he only left the property when the victim contacted the Police, threatning to cause more damage to the property.

The rogue builder is described as as white, aged in his 50s or 60s, 5ft 6ins tall, chubby with short grey/white hair. He was clean shaven, spoke with an Irish accent and wore a zipped navy blue fleece and jeans. He turned up at the home, with other workmen, in a white van.

PC Alison Pearson, from Tamworth police, said:

“This rogue trader claimed to be from a legitimate roofing company, and handed over leaflets containing these details about it.

“We’d urge anyone who is approached by him not to hand over any money but to contact police straight away.”

Anyone with information should ring PC Pearson on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.  Tamworth Police are working with Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards.