Rogue builders who defrauded customers in Newport and Bristol out of thousands of pounds have been ordered to pay back more than £200,000. Jeremiah Connors, 26, Simon Connors, 29, and Ronald Connors, 50, left work incomplete and in a dangerous condition, forcing customers to spend thousands on repairs.
Fraudulent trading across two cities
The three men traded under the names Trade Price Pavings Ltd and Keyline and Co, using a false address in Newport. Prosecutor Tom Roberts told Newport Crown Court: "All defendants obtained money from their customers for building work which was at best inadequate and incomplete and at worst dangerous."
At the time of the offences, Ronald Connors was subject to a 10-year criminal behaviour order that prevented him from approaching a residential address occupied by someone over the age of 50, or offering services on behalf of himself or another.
Eight victims between 2018 and 2021
The court heard there were eight victims between 2018 and 2021. One victim paid £1,600 for a retaining wall and decking, but an independent surveyor concluded the work would cost £2,690 to correct. Another paid £6,500 for driveway work that was unfinished by his wedding. A third paid £2,600 for a hot tub installation that was never completed, leaving paving slabs loose and rubbish at the property.
A fourth victim paid £2,000 for a retaining wall that later collapsed. A fifth paid £4,800 for a retaining wall and shed, but was pressured into paying more before the job finished. A sixth victim paid £9,000 for an extension, later spending £17,000 to have the wall removed. A seventh paid £10,000 for work that will cost £14,408 to repair. The eighth paid £6,000 for work that required £3,000 in repairs.
Sentencing and confiscation orders
Ronald Connors, of Rembrandt Way, Newport, used the alias Bill to hide his identity. He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, two counts of being a trader recklessly engaging in unfair practice, aggressive commercial practice, and breach of a criminal behaviour order. He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
Jeremiah Connors pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation and two counts of being a trader recklessly engaging in unfair practice. He received 55 weeks custody suspended for two years, with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work. Simon Connors pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to 23 months custody suspended for two years, with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 240 hours of unpaid work.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on September 21 heard Ronald Connors benefited by £823,974 and has assets worth £166,842. Jeremiah Connors benefited by £573,603 with available assets of £26,680, and Simon Connors benefited by £281,841 with available assets of £29,647. Judge Harrison ordered each to pay their available sums as a confiscation order.
