Rogue builder Jack Doran, who traded under Felixstowe-based JD Roofing and General Building Ltd, handed suspended sentence

The victim of a rogue builder who conned people out of more than £17,000 in incomplete work has told of the abuse they suffered after he was sentenced.

Jack Doran, of Harlow, Essex, was handed a six month sentence, suspended for nine months, at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday.

Despite his home being in Essex, Doran traded under the name JD Roofing and General Building Ltd, based out of Manor Road, Felixstowe.

He admitted taking 50 per cent deposits and additional payments for roofing services and materials not provided as well as dishonestly incurring debts in the course of trade at an earlier hearing.

When confronted by clients on why work was not being completed, he continually made excuses, the court was told.

After his sentencing, a victim, who did not wish to be named, said Doran lied to them, leaving them feeling ‘let down, disappointed, and stupid for being so easily manipulated’.

“My trust in builders has been eroded,” they said.

“Throughout the process of continually giving excuses for not starting the work, our patience and tolerance were completely abused.”

The victim said they contacted Doran after he put out an advert on Facebook.

They added: “Doran’s estimate of a simple two-day job was rubbish, as the job eventually needed some major rebuilding. Not only did this cost us considerably more, but over that time the cost of materials increased vastly.

“We are pensioners with a limited income. The fact we were conned makes me feel vulnerable and wary that in the future we could be exploited.”

A customer from Felixstowe first complained to Suffolk Trading Standards in April 2022.

The victim said they paid £5,900 for work to replace a roof, which was left incomplete.

A second complaint came in April when a customer paid out £4,000 for work that never happened, the court was told.

Neighbours of the first complainant were later identified as further victims, who paid out a £1,200 deposit in advance, with no work done and no scaffolding installed.

Despite work not taking place, at least two of the victims were talked into making further payments under pressure.

Doran said the business was struggling financially and that, without further payments, work could not continue.

One paid £1,247 and then another £150 was requested. A second victim paid a further payment of £750 after initially paying £1,440.

For his crimes, Doran was jailed for six months, suspended for 18 months.

However, an early guilty plea saw his suspended sentence reduced to nine months.

He must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work over the next 18 months as well as attending a rehabilitation course to help him avoid future offending.

He was also ordered pay £2,500 compensation, to be split £500 per customer, paid at £100 per month starting from October 1.

Graham Crisp, the head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said Doran’s actions caused financial loss and significant undue stress to his victims and their families.

He added: “The consumers trusted the business and they were let down.

“Doran pocketed thousands of pounds paid to him in good faith and he then spun a web of lies and excuses as to why he was not carrying out the agreed work.”