A callous cowboy builder who callously exploited a family with two disabled children, taking £36,000 for a shoddy roofing job that left their home exposed to the elements, has been rightly jailed.
Lee Connett, 35, presented himself as a trustworthy tradesman but proved to be a calculating conman. He promised the vulnerable family a complete roof replacement for their home in West Sussex, a crucial job for their children's well-being.
Instead of providing a safe and dry home, Connett's work was dangerously substandard. The family was left with a leaking roof, damaged interiors, and flashing dangerously left dangling from the property. He then vanished with their life savings, ignoring their desperate pleas for him to return and finish the job.
While the family struggled to pick up the pieces, Connett was caught on CCTV living it up, brazenly flashing the cash he had stolen. He was filmed withdrawing large sums of money and spending it on nights out at a nightclub in Crawley, showing a complete lack of remorse for his victims.
Investigations revealed a trail of deceit. Connett had used the company name 'South East Roofing' but was not the registered director, adding a layer of deception to his scheme. The court heard harrowing details of the profound impact his crime had on the family, who were left in a precarious and stressful situation.
Justice Served
Appearing at Lewes Crown Court, Connett, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to fraud. The judge sentenced him to two years and four months in prison for his despicable actions.
Detectives from Sussex Police welcomed the sentence, highlighting how Connett had specifically targeted a vulnerable household. They praised the family's courage in coming forward and hope the conviction sends a strong message to other rogue traders.
This case serves as a stark warning about the devastating impact of cowboy builders and the importance of thorough checks before commissioning any major home improvements.
