A rogue trader fraudulently charged a victim £95,000 for roof work after originally quoting them £50.

Terry Green scammed West Sussex residents out of £149,000 for poor quality work that was not necessary or not completed at all.

Green was jailed after previously being prosecuted for more rogue trading while working under a different name.

Residents were defrauded of thousands by Green, or Berriedale Drive, Sompting, while trading as Universal Roofs Ltd and Universal Roofing and Guttering Services.

Green told residents that their roof was in poor condition and posed a danger to life – but surveyors later found that this was not the case.

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In one case a victim in Pulborough saw prices spiral to £13,000 only to find out later that the different work paid for was not necessary, of poor quality or not done at all.

One victim paid £95,000 after being originally quoted £50 to replace lost tiles. Another resident had to fork put £768 to another trader to later rectify work they had paid nearly £2,000 for.

Other victims were traced by trading standards teams who found Green had charged for repair works on roofs, guttering, fascia and soffits.

The work was deemed to either be unnecessary, of poor quality, or overpriced.

West Sussex County Council prosecuted Green and found he had previously been prosecuted for rogue trading offences in 2017.

Green pleaded guilty to the new charges of fraud and money laundering relating to his work between September 2019 and July 2022.

He was sentenced to six years in prison at a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court today.

West Sussex County Councillor Duncan Crow said: “It is always disappointing to hear that we have rogue traders operating in West Sussex, but I am pleased that this investigation has ended with a successful conviction and hope this will bring some peace of mind to the victims.

“As part of our Council Plan, West Sussex County Council is committed to keeping people safe from vulnerable situations and I would encourage all residents to visit the Buy With Confidence website when looking to hire an approved trader.”