Following an investigation by the Bracknell Forest council’s trading standards service, supported by the Public Protection Partnership’s case management unit, Gabby Lee, 27, a trader currently of Yorktown Road in Sandhurst has been successfully prosecuted under the Fraud Act 2006.
On April 10 2026, at Reading Magistrates Court, Mr Lee was sentenced, having pleaded guilty on February 20 2026, for having committed one offence under section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006.
The charge related to roofing work undertaken by the defendant at a residential property.
The investigation into these offences started following a complaint by a Wiltshire resident to the Public Protection Partnership’s trading standards investigations team. The investigation uncovered that Mr Lee engaged in deliberate price escalation after works commenced, misrepresented the necessity of major works, and applied pressure tactics to secure payment.
Attempts were made to upsell further unnecessary works, and the workmanship delivered was substandard.
The fraud had a significant financial and emotional impact on the victims, leaving them £22,000 out of pocket after paying for building works that were later found to be unnecessary and based on false information. This loss wiped out their entire savings, which had been set aside for major life plans, and caused them lasting emotional distress.
Mr Lee was sentenced at Reading Magistrates Court to a 17 weeks custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, with a requirement to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.
Mr Lee paid full compensation to the victims prior to sentencing and was ordered to pay costs in the sum of £6,995 and victim surcharge in the sum of £154.
Councillor Tom McCann, chairman of the Joint Public Protection committee, said: “This case highlights common warning signs of doorstep and home-improvement fraud by misrepresenting the necessity of work, escalating prices once work has started, and pressuring residents to pay quickly.
“While we welcome the compensation paid to the victims, it does not erase the significant distress and disruption caused to them.
“I want to thank our trading standards and case management teams for their work in achieving this result, and for helping prevent others from being harmed. Our advice is simple: be cautious of pressure tactics, get written quotes, and seek a second opinion before agreeing to additional work.
“If something doesn’t feel right, report it.”
Any resident that has concerns about trader-related activity should contact the service on 01635 519930 or e-mail tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk.
If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the cold caller, call the police emergency number 999.
