William Harrington, a builder from Linksway, Wallasey, has pleaded not guilty to all counts over allegedly fraudulent home improvement work promised to his neighbour. He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on the morning of 28 August 2026.
Harrington faces multiple charges brought by Wirral Council on behalf of neighbour Helen McGee. The charges allege he committed fraud by "dishonestly making a false representation" relating to a quote for home improvement works and oral representations about those works.
Quote valued at £155,555
He is accused of "quoting a total charge of £220,000 for such works at the said address, which was subsequently valued at approximately £155,555 if performed to a good compliant standard, intending to make a gain, namely £220,000, for yourself."
Wearing a dark suit and tie, he answered not guilty to the 16 charges put before him. The charges include engaging in a commercial practice "which, by omission, was misleading" as a trader on May 4, 2024.
Contract and cancellation notices
On the same date, he is charged with committing fraud by "dishonestly failing to disclose" information to Helen McGee "when entering into a contract with her for the provision of home improvement works to an agreed value of approximately £172,200" and not giving her "a notice of her right to cancel the contract within 14 days from the date on which the contract was made."
He is further charged with engaging in "a commercial practice which is a misleading omission" in June 2024, and with fraud by "dishonestly failing to disclose" information to Ms McGee "when entering into a contract with her for the provision of home improvement works to an additional value of approximately £47,800."
Trial date set
Between May and December 2024, it is alleged Harrington "knowingly or recklessly engaged in a commercial practice which contravened the requirements of professional diligence." He is also charged with failing to provide Ms McGee with pre-contractual information he was "under a legal duty to disclose, intending, by that failure, to make a gain, namely the sum of approximately £172,200, for yourself."
Harrington faces further charges under unfair trading regulations. Three relate to allegedly failing to provide Ms McGee with a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. The charges allege that this "as a result caused or was likely to cause the average consumer to take a transactional decision [they] would not have taken otherwise."
He is also accused of failing to provide "information requested in respect of the progress, costs, payments and completion certifications in respect of the said works." Two further charges accuse him of engaging in "a commercial practice which was aggressive," including making "an oral representation during a telephone call" to Ms McGee that "work at the said address would cease unless a final payment of £10,000 was made, through the use of harassment, coercion or undue influence."
A trial, expected to last between eight and 10 days, has been set for June 21, 2027. Harrington was granted unconditional bail until his next appearance in June next year.
