A COWBOY builder has been banned from being a company director for eight years after admitting bodging jobs across the west midlands and the south west

Following his sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court, Brad Fairman was accused of leaving a trail of poor and unfinished kitchens and bathrooms in his wake, forcing victims to fork out thousands of pounds to correct poor work.

The 27-year-old targeted single women, some of whom had suffered recent bereavements. One woman, 86, was left without a working bath or shower and had to wash in her kitchen sink until a relative stepped in to help.

He scammed victims in Royal Wootton Bassett, Oxford, Gloucester, Weymouth and the midlands.

The regional trading standards team, which together with Bristol City Council led the investigation into Fairman, said he had used aliases and changed his business name six times.

One victim was charged more than £10,000 for a bathroom and kitchen - charging twice for a boiler. Another was quoted £1,600 for bathroom work but was charged more than £3,200 – despite him never finishing the job.

His aliases included Brad Harrison, Brad Bracknell, Bradley Ford and Jack Plumb. Among the trading names of his firm were Fairman Plumbing Solutions, Royal Flush Plumbing and Heating and, most recently, Inventive Plumbing and Heating.

The Blunsdon man pleaded guilty to two counts of fraudulent trading and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to 20 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Judge Peter Blair QC told the builder: “You fobbed people off with the standard of work and are regarded as a cowboy.”

Fairman was disqualified from being a director of a company for eight years, must complete 160 hours unpaid work and a three month curfew on an electronically-monitored tag.

Reacting to the sentence chairman of National Trading Standards Lord Toby Harris said: “Fraudulent traders can cause significant distress to homeowners who hand over hard earned money in good faith but end up paying out significantly more. We will continue to take action against individuals who engage in fraudulent activity to ensure they are not able to profit from their crimes.

“If you or someone you know, has fallen victim to a fraud like this you should report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service helpline by calling 0808 223 1133.”

Bristol City councillor Steve Pearce, cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “Fairman was a prolific fraudster, operating across a large area of the west country and beyond, ripping consumers off. It is testament to the Trading Standards Regional Investigation teams’ cross border capabilities that this case has been brought before the courts securing justice for his victims.”