Cowboy builder admits shoddy £10,000 work

A roofer who claimed he lost his memory after falling from a building has admitted botching jobs at homes, including one in Rugeley, and was warned he may face jail.

Steven Bettles had told a court he had no recollection of carrying out the poor quality work he was accused of because of the fall. But he has now admitted to working on three houses and a children's centre.

During the course of this work, he caused about £10,000 losses to those customers.

Bettles carried out work at homes in Bhylls Lane, Merry Hill, Hilary Drive, Merry Hill, and in St Michael's Road, Rugeley, with homeowners handing over about £3,000 in total.

But he kept his most destructive work for the Windmill Lane Children's Centre, in Windmill Lane, Castlecroft, where he caused £7,500 worth of damage with his shoddy workmanship.

The 56-year-old roofer, from Windmill Lane, Castlecroft, yesterday admitted nine allegations of unfair trading, two of taking part in the promotion, formation or management of Advanced Rooflines Ltd and All Surface Protection Ltd while an undischarged bankrupt, and two of misleading marketing.

The offences were said to have been committed on various dates between March 2009 and May 2010.

All of the victims had to spend money having his work fixed. An earlier hearing heard that Bettles fell off the roof of a building in July last year. He received head injuries that caused "serious memory loss," his defence solicitor Mr Harbinder Gahir claimed.

But the court heard Bettles had not provided any medical evidence. District Judge Michael Wheeler adjourned sentencing until March 26 for reports to be carried out. But he warned that jail may be an option.