Driveways cowboy is facing new charges

A rogue trader awaiting sentence for 73 offences relating to laying dodgy drives has been arrested and charged again - just days after being bailed by a court.

Stacy Handley appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court last Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to charges relating to the laying of at least 18 dodgy drives in Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell.

Some of the work had been done while using the false name of John Callaghan.

Today it emerged the 36-year-old, of Raglan Street in Brierley Hill, was re-arrested on Saturday over the laying of a drive in Dudley that started on the day he appeared in court.

Trading standards officials were alerted after a person living at the house where the job was being carried out spotted Handley's picture in the Express & Star on Wednesday, and thought he bore a striking similarity to the man who called on Monday to arrange the job.

The man had used the name Joe Smith.

Handley has now been charged with fraud.

He was bailed to appear before Dudley Magistrates next Tuesday.

Wolverhampton magistrates heard last Tuesday how Handley gave a fake name and address when making cold calls on homes.

He showed glossy pictures of drives that had not been laid by him.

He admitted issuing worthless eight-year guarantees and never honoured pledges to return to repair the mess he left behind.

Victims included 89-year-old Wolverhampton man Alfred Thomas, who paid £1,350 for a botched job after being driven by Handley to a building society to withdraw the cash.

Slipshod work will now have to be ripped up at 18 homes.

Handley last week pleaded guilty to 73 offences, 33 involving fraud and the rest breaches of regulations protecting consumers. He will be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on September 1.

Police today confirmed a 36-year-old man had been arrested on Saturday charged with two counts of fraud and will appear before Dudley magistrates.