A Ferryhill rogue trader who sealed a vulnerable pensioner's windows shut with varnish and pressured her to withdraw money from the bank has been sent to prison.
John Paul Maughan, 50, formerly of East Howel Caravan Site, Ferryhill, was jailed for 36 weeks after being prosecuted by Hartlepool Borough Council's Trading Standards Team.
Teesside Magistrates' Court heard how the pensioner had sought help with gutter repairs through an online trader marketplace. Maughan quoted £850 for the work but failed to provide the legally required 14-day cooling-off period notice.
The price then rose to £1,500 when he claimed further repairs were needed to make the roof watertight. Although the woman said she wanted to seek other quotes, he became increasingly insistent and pressured her into agreeing.
He then offered to stain and varnish window frames and paint the property – with costs spiralling to £7,000. Despite the pensioner's initial reluctance, Maughan persistently pressured her to withdraw money from her bank account while the work remained incomplete, and she eventually transferred the full £7,000.
He then attempted to secure yet more work, quoting an additional £2,500 for repointing bricks beneath the front windows. After negotiation, the woman agreed to pay £2,000 – once again without receiving any notice of her consumer rights.
It was a bank cashier who ultimately brought the matter to light. Growing suspicious as Maughan continued to urge the pensioner to make trips to the bank, the cashier contacted Cleveland Police.
Officers attended the property and, concerned about the quality of the work, advised her to make no further payments. The case was referred to Trading Standards.
An independent chartered building surveyor found the work displayed a "consistent pattern of sub-standard execution, inadequate preparation and disregard for correct materials and methods."
The pensioner said in a victim impact statement that her home had been left in an "awful mess", with almost all of her windows sealed shut with varnish.
Maughan had previously been found guilty in his absence at Teesside Magistrates' Court of seven offences – two breaches of consumer protection regulations, four breaches of consumer contracts regulations and one Fraud Act offence.
A warrant was issued to bring him to court for sentencing and, following his arrest, he was ordered to pay compensation of £2,500 and costs of £2,759.
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Councillor Amanda Napper, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council's Neighbourhoods and Regulatory Services Committee, said: "This case highlights the calculated and persistent tactics rogue traders can use to exploit vulnerable residents.
"We are pleased to have secured this conviction and will continue to take strong action against those who seek to operate in our borough in this way.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the bank cashier whose vigilance and presence of mind brought this matter to light."
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