Rogue roofer disappeared after conning pensioner out of £150k

A rogue builder who overcharged an elderly woman more than £150k for shoddy roofing has been ordered to repay her £50,000.

Carl Roxby convinced Joanna Stafford the roof of her home in Storrington needed fixing in April 2022 and offered to replace it.

Over the next six months, he persuaded her to agree to even more works including replacing a flat roof, conservatory, gutters, fascias, soffits and a patio.

After she’d handed over £154,000, he disappeared – leaving the work incomplete.

She called in West Sussex Trading Standards, who found his work was substandard and she had been significantly overcharged.

They got him to repay her £50,000 – and also took him to court.

In November last year, Roxby, 44, of Kithurst Crescent, Worthing pleaded guilty to offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Fraud Act 2006.

Last month, at Lewes Crown Court, he was sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 300 hours of Community Payback and 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

Cllr Duncan Crow, cabinet member for community support said: “Carl Roxby cruelly exploited a vulnerable resident, deceiving them out of their hard-earned money and leaving them with dangerous, incomplete building work.

“This case highlights the invaluable work our Trading Standards team does in protecting our communities and holding rogue traders accountable. No one should have to endure what this victim experienced.

“I’m pleased at the team’s determination to secure compensation and pursue justice for the victim. I hope this sentencing serves as a clear warning to unscrupulous builders that we will not tolerate dishonest traders in West Sussex.”