A ruthless cowboy builder has been jailed after his shoddy double glazing work left a vulnerable pensioner's home in such a dangerous state that it was declared uninhabitable.
Paul James, 38, callously took £18,000 from the elderly homeowner for a complete replacement of windows and doors at her Peterborough property. Instead of professional installation, James delivered what a judge described as "appalling" and "potentially dangerous" workmanship.
The court heard how the victim was left living in a construction site, with windows and doors so poorly fitted they were falling out of their frames, leaving massive gaps and draughts. The botched job was so severe that environmental health officers deemed the property unfit to live in, forcing the distressed OAP to find alternative accommodation.
A Trail of Destruction and Deceit
James, operating under the trading name 'The Window Man PTD', initially quoted £9,000 for the work in August 2022. He then relentlessly pressured the victim into paying for additional, unnecessary work, ultimately extracting a total of £18,000 from her life savings.
When trading standards officers investigated, they discovered a horrifying scene. The work was not just substandard; it was catastrophic. Critical safety glass had been incorrectly installed, and the structural integrity of the installations was completely compromised.
Justice Served at Peterborough Crown Court
Appearing at Peterborough Crown Court, Paul James, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in a commercial practice which was aggressive under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for his predatory actions. In addition to his jail term, the court issued a five-year criminal behaviour order, prohibiting him from engaging in any door-to-door sales or cold calling for home improvement services.
This case serves as a stark warning to rogue traders and highlights the critical importance of using reputable, certified contractors for home improvement projects.
