In a case that will send shivers down the spine of every homeowner, a despicable pair of rogue builders has been caught on camera swindling a vulnerable elderly couple out of a staggering £37,000 for shockingly botched and dangerous work.
The devastating scam, which targeted a pensioner couple in Essex, was captured in horrifying detail by a hidden camera installed by the victims' concerned son. The footage, obtained by the Mirror, exposes the cold-hearted tactics and sheer incompetence of the fraudsters.
A Trail of Destruction and Deceit
The criminals, operating under the trading name P&R Building and Maintenance, promised a beautiful new kitchen, bathroom, and landscaping. What they delivered was a nightmare of catastrophic errors and criminal negligence.
- Electrocution Hazard: They left live wires dangling from ceilings and walls, creating a potentially lethal risk.
- Gas Leak Danger: A botched gas pipe installation resulted in a major leak, forcing the emergency shutdown of the supply to the entire property.
- Structural Mayhem: Their so-called 'building work' included constructing a supporting wall that wasn't even attached to the ceiling, jeopardising the structure of the home.
"They've taken my parents' life savings," the victims' son told the Mirror. "They preyed on their vulnerability. My dad has dementia and my mum is his full-time carer. They saw an opportunity and they took it."
The Bungling 'Builders' Exposed
The covert video shows the so-called tradesmen in a state of constant confusion. In one embarrassing scene, they are utterly baffled by a simple kitchen tap, spending an entire day failing to install it correctly. The work was so profoundly poor that the entire £37,000 worth had to be completely ripped out and redone by legitimate, qualified tradespeople.
Despite a County Court judgment ordering them to pay £26,000 in damages, the duo—Paul Fisher and Robert Lewis of P&R Building—have vanished, refusing to pay a single penny and leaving a trail of financial and emotional destruction in their wake.
A Stark Warning to Homeowners
This case serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of thorough vetting. Essex Trading Standards is investigating, urging anyone considering home improvements to:
- Always get multiple written quotes for any significant job.
- Check for verified reviews and ask for references you can contact directly.
- Use accredited traders from trusted schemes like TrustMark.
- Never pay large sums of money upfront.
The emotional toll on the victims is immeasurable. This story is a powerful warning to be vigilant against the heartless cowboys who prey on the most trusting in our society.
