A shameless rogue roofer who scammed older residents out of thousands of pounds for shoddy work which left homeowners “worse off” has been jailed, following a Trading Standards probe. Benjamin Lee Molloy, 39, was the sole company director of JR Roofing Driveway Specialists Limited and targeted victims in their 70s and 80s before carrying out poor, unnecessary work disguised as genuine repairs.
Preston Crown Court heard one victim was misled with false claims about dangerous defects, while another faced escalating demands for extra jobs and payments, only to be left with a leaking roof. Lancashire County Council said: “Residents were left worse off than before Molloy began the work – and faced further repair bills.”
Now Molloy, of Colne, Lancashire, has been jailed for 12 months after admitting offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
He was also handed a five-year Company Director Disqualification Order with a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order – banning him from conducting or canvassing home improvement work.
This prosecution followed an investigation into a deluge of complaints received by Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards Service.
A surveyor instructed by Trading Standards confirmed Molloy’s work showed “a clear lack of skill and knowledge, and that there were no structural defects in the properties.
The council said: “One woman who paid £17,450 was told the work was unnecessary and worthless, while another man’s repairs were valued at just £450 – despite paying ten times that amount.”
Speaking after the case, County Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities at Lancashire County Council, said: “Rogue traders cause huge mental anguish to their victims and families, and we’re pleased that justice has been served.
“Molloy preyed on older, vulnerable residents and thought he could get away with it – but thanks to the efforts of Lancashire Trading Standards, he’s now behind bars.
“This prosecution sends a clear signal that we won’t tolerate rogue traders and scammers in Lancashire, and we’ll do everything we can to stop them.”