A Welsh builder has been sentenced to nine months in prison after his substandard construction work left a family with a young child homeless. Mark Anthony Batt, 45, from Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, accepted approximately £39,000 from a homeowner for building work at a property in Risca. The work was left substantially incomplete and of extremely poor quality.
Substandard work condemned
An independent building surveyor found that multiple aspects of the construction failed to comply with Building Regulations and concluded that much of the work had little monetary value. As a result, the property was deemed structurally unsafe and condemned, forcing the family—including a young child—to leave their home.
Hardship endured
For several months, the family endured significant hardship. They prepared and ate meals in a small garage temporarily converted into a kitchen and relied on the support and generosity of relatives for everyday living arrangements. Further investigations revealed that most of Batt's work had to be demolished and rebuilt, incurring additional costs of approximately £89,000 to rectify the damage.
Court outcome
Batt was convicted of fraud and misleading consumer offences relating to substandard building work. He was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment. Councillor Philippa Leonard, cabinet member for planning and public protection at Caerphilly Council, stated: 'This case demonstrates the devastating impact that rogue traders can have on families.'
'The victims in this case suffered not only substantial financial losses but also significant disruption to their daily lives after being forced from their home because of unsafe building work. Consumers place their trust in traders to carry out work honestly, competently and in accordance with the law. When that trust is abused, we will not hesitate to take action.'
'This prosecution sends a clear message that fraudulent and misleading business practices will not be tolerated, and we remain committed to protecting residents from those who seek to exploit them.'
