A rogue builder who conned pensioners through Facebook and illegally charged customers in Suffolk more than £17,000 has been sentenced.

Jack Doran, 40, traded in Felixstowe under the name JD Roofing and General Building Ltd of Manor Road, despite the fact his real home address is in Harlow, Essex.

Suffolk Trading Standards was first notified of his scamming in April 2022 when a customer said they had paid £5,900 for work to replacing a roof, which was never carried out.

Later, in August 2022, another customer notified them they had paid Doran £4,000 for work that also never happened.

After an investigation it was found that victims were frequently talked into making further payments following fraud, as they were told the business was struggling financially and work would not continue without further payment. 

READ MORE: Suffolk and Essex Crime News

A pensioner that was scammed said the builder put an advert on Facebook following a major storm and offered to repair their roof.

They said: “Jack Doran lied to us, and I feel let down, disappointed, and stupid for being so easily manipulated. My trust in builders has been eroded.

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

“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.”

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Doran was handed six-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday.

He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work over 18 months, to attend a rehabilitation course and made to pay £2,500 compensation - to be split £500 per consumer.

Doran has also been disqualified as a director for the next five years.

Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for public health and public protection, said: “This is another great result for our Trading Standards team and sends a clear message that rogue traders are not welcome in Suffolk.

Steve Wiles, of Suffolk County CouncilSteve Wiles, of Suffolk County Council (Image: Suffolk County Council)

"Residents are reminded to always thoroughly research any individual or business before hiring them to carry out work and to always be cautious when paying money upfront.

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“I would strongly encourage anyone looking for a trader to get a range of quotes from reputable traders either through recommendations from people you trust, or a Trading Standards approved trader from our Suffolk Trusted Trader scheme.”

Graham Crisp, head of Suffolk Trading Standards, added: “The actions of Jack Doran have caused financial loss and significant undue stress to his victims and their families.  I would like to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and supporting the investigation. 

“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.”