A ROGUE builder has been fined £25,000 after carrying out botched work on two homes in Tameside – one which was left with part of the roof missing.
Ahsan Ul Haq also received suspended prison sentences after being contracted to carry out a loft conversion at one property in Ashton-under-Lyne and a basement conversation at the other.
But he failed to finish the work he was paid for and left both in a poor state – one of the properties was left so unhabitable the homeowner and her family were forced to move out and stay with relatives.
One returned after 16 months following delays in getting another builder to make it habitable and complete the work.
The other has so far been unable to get their basement conversion completed.
He then failed to respond to requests from the victims to rectify and complete the work and left the country, in doing so breaking all contact with the victims.
Following complaints to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, an investigation was carried out by Tameside Council’s Trading Standards officers, supported its Building Control team.
Now the 51-year-old, of New Lane in the Siddal area of Halifax, West Yorkshire, has been punished at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court for his acts trading as Your Home Our Pride Building Services.
Mr Ul Haq pleaded guilty in November to two counts of the offence of knowingly engaging in an unfair commercial practice in relation to building works at the two properties between March and June 2021.
He admitted contravening the requirements of professional diligence with regards to the building works by failing to complete the contracted work paid for and carrying out the completed works to a poor standard.
He also failed to submit an application and notice to Tameside Council Planning and Building Control Services for the building works, despite telling the victims he would do so.
The court heard his actions of Ul Haq have had a huge emotional and financial impact on both families, who are related to each other.
The Judge said there was no doubt the defendant’s actions had met the threshold for a custodial sentence because of the financial and emotional harm suffered by the victims and their families.
However, she said made the decision to suspend the sentences as he had shown remorse for his actions and a desire the compensate the victims as much as he can, plus the fact he is a carer for his wife and mother.
Ul Haq was sentenced to two consecutive suspended prison sentences of eight months each and was ordered to pay £7,000 in compensation to the victims within 28 days, plus a further £750 each month for the next two years, totalling £25,000.
Out of this amount, £13,510 and £9,250 will go to the victims respectively, with the remaining £2,240 towards prosecution costs.
Tameside Council’s assistant executive member, Cllr Vincent Ricci, said: “Our trading standards team aim to protect consumers and support legitimate businesses by ensuring businesses trade fairly, safely and legally.
“If a trader or business is found to have breached consumer protection legislation, we will always take appropriate enforcement action and we’re pleased to see a successful outcome in court to this investigation and the victims will receive compensation for emotional and financial impact of the offences.”