A ROGUE roofer from a village near Thornbury has been jailed after conning customers out of half a million pounds.
Bill Buckley, aged 58, was sentenced to five years in prison at Bristol Crown Court in October after admitting two fraud charges following a prosecution by South Gloucestershire Council’s trading standards service.
Buckley, of Tytherington, also faces action to claw back some of the £500,000 proceeds of his roofing and home maintenance scams, carried out over a six-year period between April 2018 and April 2024.
A council spokesperson said many victims were elderly and vulnerable people, including a 79-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease who was charged £38,000 for “extremely poor painting work” on the front of her home and an 84-year-old man who handed over £9,000 for roofing repairs Buckley claimed were urgently needed, but never carried out.
Buckley used eight different business names, including South West Roofing, 1 to 1 Roofing, Evergreen Landscapes and Allstar Roofing, while carrying out the scams.
He also used false names and addresses, and used family members to receive payments from customers.
Trading standards officers started by looking into 17 cases but during the course of the investigation Buckley continued offending, increasing the number of victims to 23.
He has previously been prosecuted and convicted of similar offences in 2014.
Trading standards’ officers tracked down his “extensive” banking records to work out the scale of the fraud.
Experts who assessed the work Buckley actually carried out found it was worthless, with one project described as “abysmal”.
Even after charges were brought Buckley continued offending, and he was remanded in custody last December to prevent further offending.
‘Significant harm’ caused
He was told he had “failed to learn from his earlier prosecution”.
Cabinet councillor for trading standards John Bradbury said: “This is one of the most significant rogue trading prosecutions ever undertaken by our Trading Standards team.
“This offender repeatedly targeted residents, including elderly and vulnerable people, causing significant financial and emotional harm.
“He showed complete disregard for both the law and the well-being of his victims, even continuing to offend while under investigation.
“This sentence sends a clear message that rogue traders will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
“We will continue to take robust action to protect residents and hold offenders to account.”
The court also imposed an indefinite criminal behaviour order preventing Buckley from obtaining or carrying out building, maintenance or gardening work at any home in the UK.
To report rogue trading, contact Citizens Advice, who will refer potential cases to trading standards officers, on 0808 223 1133.
Picture: How Buckley left one of his victims’ homes in Yate after taking £3,500 for roofing and guttering work that was left unfinished.