A former Bracknell project manager has been sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £34,000 compensation for unfair trading.
Jordan Guyett, of Target Hill, Bracknell, was convicted at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 19, after pleading guilty to two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
In addition to the compensation, he must pay a £95 victims’ surcharge and prosecution costs of £1,357.
The prosecution followed an investigation by officers from the Public Protection Partnership (PPP), and prosecuted by the PPP Case Management Unit on behalf of Bracknell Forest Council.
In May last week, the trading standards team received a complaint from al resident about a building extension to their home being undertaken by Jordan Guyett trading as Rose Property Solutions Berkshire Limited.
From the outset, work was intermittent and irregular.
Workmen did not turn up some days and materials were not delivered when they were supposed to be. The homeowners had to pay some workmen directly but in the end the work was not completed despite the homeowners having paid Guyett £18,370.25.
An expert surveyor described the work as having no value and the extension would need to be completely rebuilt at a likely cost of about £46,000, depending on what materials could be saved while stripping back and starting again.
Following the investigation, Guyett was charged with one count of knowingly or recklessly engaging in an unfair commercial practice and one count of engaging in a misleading action contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Prior to sentencing, the court were informed that in November 2020, Guyett had been convicted of three offences under the same regulations following a 2019 investigation.
Cllr John Harrison, Executive Member for Culture, Delivery and Public Protection at Bracknell Forest Council said “This sentence and compensation order clearly sends the message that trading unfairly is a serious matter.
“We are very pleased that the court has ordered £34,000 in compensation for this Bracknell resident.
“If any resident of the Bracknell, West Berkshire or Wokingham feels that they have been treated unfairly by a trader we would invite them to contact us.
“Likewise, we are always happy to advise traders should they seek our advice.”
Bracknell, West Berkshire or Wokingham residents with concerns can contact the PPP’s trading standards service, by calling: 01635 519930, or sending an e-mail to: tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk
