A Wokingham trader has been given a suspended sentence and is now required to undertake unpaid work after pleading guilty to one offence of fraudulent trading.
Mr Albie Preece of London Road, Twyford, was sentenced on 18th June 2025 at Reading Crown Court following earlier guilty pleas to one offence of fraudulent trading (Fraud Act 2006) and one offence of money laundering (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002).
The convictions followed a complex investigation conducted by the Public Protection Partnership Trading Standards Service working with the PPP Joint Case Management Unit.
The investigation uncovered that in late September 2020, a Three Mile Cross resident received a cold call from at least two men from a company called ‘Roman Roofing and Building’. Mr Preece was one of these men. He offered to work on part of the guttering at the front of the resident’s house for £70.
Mr Preece then claimed that urgent work was needed to the chimney. He claimed it would cost £21,500, of which £3,000 was paid as cash for scaffolding and the rest paid by cheque.
Mr Preece went on to claim that additional work was needed to the flat roof and would cost a further £24,000 which was also paid by cheque. £42,500 in total was paid into Mr Preece’s bank account by the victim. Several days later Mr Preece knocked at the door of the consumer.
He demanded a further payment of £7,000 for unpaid VAT for the work carried out. This was also paid by the consumer as cash making the total amount paid to Mr Preece £52,500. HMRC records show no trace of any VAT being paid by this company.
Trading Standards had the work inspected by an independent building surveyor. The true cost of carrying out this work was estimated at £5,740 if carried out by competent trades person.
Mr Preece was given a suspended sentence of 22 months with and was required to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work.
In addition to the sentence, the case has been adjourned to a later date for confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to be considered. Costs and compensation will be considered at that later date too.
Cllr Lou Timlin, executive member for community safety and public protection, said: “Rogue traders cause real harm to individuals and communities – not just financially, but emotionally too. The actions in this case left the victim out of pocket and understandably distressed. We hope the sentence handed down by the Court sends a clear message that this kind of criminal behaviour won’t be tolerated.”
“Wokingham Borough Council takes incidents of rogue trading extremely seriously. We will investigate and use the full force of the law to bring offenders to justice.”
“If you’re thinking about having work done on your home, we urge you to carry out thorough checks, seek recommendations from people you trust, and get multiple quotes. Never agree to work from someone who cold calls at your door.”
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.
