A rogue trader has been jailed after an investigation by trading standards.
Liam Wilkinson, aged 25 of Eastbourne Road, Darlington, was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment for unfair trading offences.
City of York Council’s Trading Standards officers began investigating Mr Wilkinson’s activities in August 2024 after receiving complaints about his business, Brit-Plas.
Brit-Plas leaflets were dropped around the city offering to replace UPVC guttering for a “genuine quotation” of £1,295.
The leaflet claimed Brit-Plas is Yorkshire’s leading roofline specialists and “only when you are completely satisfied do you make the final payment.”
Four customers complained that when additional work was found to be needed, it significantly increased the price.
They said that the work completed was poor quality, and that their properties were left in a mess and were damaged because scaffolding wasn’t used as promised. After heavy rain, the new guttering leaked badly.
An expert employed by Trading Standards found that the promises made by the trader had not been delivered.
They said that the approach to costing and execution of the work was unprofessional, and aimed to mislead householders into believing that quality work would be delivered at a reasonable price.
Despite the guarantee, the work had been found to have a more limited life, and some areas had already started failing. The workmanship fell below the standard normally expected.
One customer said they were repeatedly harassed for payment after the work had been completed. Workmen came to their house, banged on the window, shouted and swore.
Wilkinson paid a total £8,095 compensation for his victims, ahead of appearing in court on 30 October 2025 when he pleaded guilty to two offences. He was then sentenced last Friday (16 January).
Cllr Jenny Kent, executive member for environment at City of York Council, said: “Complaints about roofing and household repairs continue to top Trading Standards’ list and this is a particularly worrying case.
“We should be able to trust tradespeople to do good work on our homes, and prices should be honoured and not inflated to extortionate levels. Harassment is unacceptable and this case demonstrates how seriously the courts take these matters.
“We urge consumers to get a few quotes from recommended traders, follow personal recommendations and look into companies as much as before agreeing to any work.”
