A builder who left a couple's home with a leaking roof and unfinished extension has been sentenced to two years in prison after defrauding multiple families. Christian Williams, 54, admitted to theft and three counts of fraud by false representation, impacting four families and costing victims over £160,000. He spent at least £30,000 of one couple's money on a holiday in Lanzarote.
Shelley and Barry Sawkins, from Buckley, Flintshire, paid Williams an initial installment of £30,000 for an extension that was intended to provide a more spacious kitchen. The work began but soon stopped, and the couple discovered Williams was on holiday spending their money. Alarms were first raised when Shelley Sawkins contacted the tradesman and realized he was abroad.
Water began pouring into the Sawkins' bungalow after work on the roof was completed. Shelley Sawkins described the ordeal as a nightmare, stating she was up in the middle of the night collecting water in buckets while caring for her husband, who has Alzheimer's disease. The couple ultimately spent an additional £20,000 on other builders to fix the extensive damage, bringing their total expenditure to nearly £50,000, significantly more than the initial £21,000 quote.
Despite the repairs, major issues like uneven flooring persist, leaving the Sawkins desperate to move into sheltered accommodation. Williams, who traded as Chris Williams Construction, was found to have benefitted financially to the tune of £163,051.70 from his fraudulent activities. However, a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing determined that he had only £1 in available assets to pay back to his victims.