Rogue Builder Ordered to Repay £30,000 for Inflicting ‘Living Nightmare’ on Family
Leighton Walkley, a 46-year-old builder, has been instructed by the court to refund £30,000 to a couple whose home in Caerphilly he left in a state of disrepair. The victims experienced immense stress due to the shoddy workmanship and incomplete projects carried out by Walkley, which even led to feelings of suicide, as revealed in court. Operating under the name L&B Brickwork, Walkley was hired by the couple between August 2021 and July 2022 to undertake an extension, patio, and summerhouse construction at their home. The homeowners, expecting a baby, had hoped for the work to be finished within 8 to 10 weeks before the birth of their child. However, despite commencing work on August 3, 2021, the project remained incomplete even after the arrival of the couple’s son in September.
The pace of work slowed down as Walkley juggled other jobs, resulting in sporadic progress between September and December 2021. Numerous excuses were given for his absence during this period. Although work resumed in January 2022, by March, more issues emerged, leading to Walkley and his team disappearing altogether. The property suffered multiple leaks, including a raw sewage leak in the garden by July 2022, prompting the victims to contact Welsh Water. Investigations revealed that pipes had been erroneously cut and resealed, causing sewage to flow through an incorrect line. Despite attempts by the defendant to rectify this issue, the overall work remained unresolved.
Prosecutor Amelia Pike disclosed that Walkley continually demanded additional payments from the victims to procure materials and complete the tasks outlined. Feeling coerced, the homeowners obliged, only for Walkley to eventually abandon the project, sever communication, and prompt legal action from the distressed couple. To date, the work remains unfinished, with the victims losing a significant sum of money, rendering them unable to cover the costs of completion. Transactions amounting to £70,377 were made to Walkley, with an estimated £36,000 required for repairs.
An inspection conducted by Trading Standards confirmed the substandard quality of work on the property. While the materials used were acceptable, incomplete sections exhibited poor workmanship. Notably, the electrical installations were left incomplete, contributing to leaks near light fixtures and hazardous conditions on the kitchen floor. The structurally compromised summerhouse posed the risk of collapse, necessitating the removal and reconstruction of parts to meet safety standards. Moreover, external steps were left hazardous, strewn with rubble.
Following a guilty plea to misleading commercial practices and breaching professional diligence requirements, Walkley received a suspended six-month prison sentence and 120 hours of unpaid work. During a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing, Walkley was found to have benefited by £30,000 through his actions, with Judge Shomon Khan ordering the repayment of that amount. The victims continue to grapple with the aftermath of Walkley’s actions, emphasizing the need for vigilance when engaging in construction projects to avoid falling victim to unscrupulous contractors.
In essence, the ordeal endured by the family serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of due diligence when selecting builders and monitoring project progress closely to avert similar distressing experiences in the future. Walkley’s case underscores the significant impact rogue traders can have on unsuspecting victims, necessitating robust consumer protection measures and enhanced awareness within the construction industry to safeguard homeowners from such exploitation. The court’s ruling stands as a form of justice for the aggrieved family, sending a stern message to unscrupulous builders regarding the repercussions of their actions.