Posted on 09/30/2023 4:01:03 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Drew Joyce, 31, of Bridgend, pocketed £30,000 from his victims, one of which described employing him as "one of the biggest mistakes in my life"
A rogue builder carried out shoddy work after pocketing more than £30,000 in cash from his victims who described employing him as "One of the biggest mistakes in my life". When he was questioned about his work by the victims, he claimed he had underpriced the jobs and walked, leaving one of the houses uninhabitable.
Drew Joyce, 31, of Bridgend, initially provided attractive quotes to his victims Sian Frowen and Grannia Doherty who paid him to carry out work on their respective houses at the end of 2019. Their dreams to renovate their homes turned to a nightmare after Joyce failed to turn up, made excuses and demanded more money.
At a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court prosecutor Ian Ibrahim said: "In both cases the prosecution say the defendant provided attractive quotes to secure work and when deposits were paid work slowed down, and in the case of Sian Frowen, he asked for further money. He then said he was unavailable to work. The estimated loss came to £31,219."
Builder Drew Joyce, 31, of Bridgend, carried out shoddy work which left one of his victim's homes "uninhabitable" In Ms Frowen's case, the defendant provided a quote of £28,000 which was agreed and she paid £600 for beams. An agreement was made to start the work a few days later, with work completed by February 2020. The work was to include an attic conversion, a bathroom renovation and plastering.
But shortly after starting work, Joyce began making excuses and told Ms Frowen his car was not working and on another occasion he claimed he had sprained his ankle. Upon returning to work in January, he asked for further money and damaged the wall of a neighbouring property, which he failed to fix.
her cash was transferred to him, but again he failed to attend and claimed his wife was recovering from an operation and said he had virus symptoms. An agreement was made for him to work longer hours to finish the job but a breakdown in the relationship led to him collecting his tools and leaving the job. The total amount transferred to the defendant by Ms Frowen came to £27,140.
In a victim personal statement, Ms Frowen told the court: "I have over the last several years been what can only be described as a physical and mental wreck continually breaking down and crying, having panic attacks with palpitations which I believe are because of what Drew Joyce has put me through...
Sian Frowen's home was left "uninhabitable" by rogue builder Drew Joyce (Image: WalesOnline/Gayle Marsh) "I believe that I am not the same person as all this upset has taken its toll on me. I considered myself to have been an outgoing fun-loving person but since this has happened, I have become withdrawn and will find excuses not to socialise with others. I have lost my self-esteem and feel a failure as a mother as I have not been able to properly provide for our 6-year-old daughter during her formative years.
"I have felt worthless on occasions, it is only because of the support of my family and close friends that I have managed to carry on and try to move forward and attempt to have a more positive outlook. I can assure you that this has not been an easy time for me. To this day, I’m still struggling to cope with the turmoil that Drew Joyce has left me and my family in.
Ms Frowen went on to say she has suffered extreme emotional stress and anxiety, and has lost her life savings. She added: "I consider myself to be a trustworthy law-abiding individual with strong family values and I find it difficult to comprehend when people act in this way towards others. I cannot over state to the court how much harm be it physical, mental, and emotional stress Drew Joyce has caused to myself and my family.
Builder Drew Joyce, 31, of Bridgend, carried out shoddy work which left one of his victim's homes "uninhabitable" "I wish I had never employed the services of Drew Joyce, this was one of the biggest mistakes of my life and I’m still struggling to cope with the consequences of this decision to this day. I hope no one else suffers like I have because of his total incompetence."
Joyce began working for Ms Doherty and her husband in November 2019, to renovate their kitchen and was paid £2,100. But not long after starting the work, he stopped attending the property and did no further work. When complaints were made, he claimed they had already had their money's worth of work from him, picked up his tools and walked. Read more: Get the latest court cases sent to your email inbox with our Crime & Punishment newsletter
Sian Frowen's home was left "uninhabitable" by rogue builder Drew Joyce (Image: Sian Frowen) In her victim personal statement, Mrs Doherty said having a kitchen/diner was a "dream" of hers but described her and her husband's "world literally falling apart. She added: "I get anxious, tearful, angry and ashamed when I even think back to this period in our lives, but most of all I am bewildered by how someone can think that it is ok to undertake work that was of such a poor standard, but then to then have what should have been a two week job turn into a running joke of disorder and disarray, where he didn’t turn up for work, or turn up for an hour or so at a time.
Sian Frowen's home was left "uninhabitable" by rogue builder Drew Joyce (Image: Sian Frowen) "Not once did he work a full day and we were just continuously palmed off with a constant load of excuses and half-truths. Anyone could see that the quality of the work so far carried out didn’t even reach sub-standard. I can’t comment on my husband’s feelings at this time as he kept his rage subdued and to himself, though I know that he felt conned by Drew Joyce, and deceived, having been taken in by his patter, as the man had come recommended to us."
Both victims reported the matter to trading standards at Bridgend council and Joyce was arrested. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly making a false representation to make gain for self/another or cause loss to other/expose other to risk, two counts of aiding/abetting dishonest failure to disclose information to make a gain for self/another/ cause/expose other to a loss, and two counts of engaging in commercial practice which is a misleading action containing false information. The court heard he was of previous good character.
Sian Frowen's home was left "uninhabitable" by rogue builder Drew Joyce (Image: WalesOnline/Gayle Marsh)
In mitigation, defence barrister Marian Lewis said her client was not to be sentenced for "incompetence or poor workmanship". She said the defendant was "sorry" and "genuinely remorseful" for the effect of his actions on both of the victims, and claimed he set out with "good intentions". The father-of-four was said to have gone out of business in 2021 and has "turned his back on his building enterprise".
Sian Frowen's home was left "uninhabitable" by rogue builder Drew Joyce (Image: WalesOnline/Gayle Marsh)
Sentencing, Judge Shoman Khan said: "You have a huge responsibility as a trade, you don’t make promises you can’t keep and leave houses like this, in a mess and disarray. You have a responsibility to those who employ you.... You’re not to be sentenced for defective work but specific offences and fraud. I can’t make an immediate custodial sentence on the offences put in front of me."
Joyce was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.
call MIke Holmes!
Joyce was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.
They should have cut his **** off.
When “victims” hand over their money to an unlicensed “rogue contractor” to take advantage of a lowball bid, they lose a lot of sympathy. Knowing how to at least diminish the odds of being ripped off is an essential skill for adults. Totalitarian Nanny-State not needed.
Home improvement/repair attracts the worst scum of the Earth. Called HVAC company to evaluate system. Scumball HVAC crook said I needed the installation of a $1,400 ultra-violet chamber to kill deadly germs entering the ductwork.
It’s my experience that half of home repair companies are run by liars and thieves. Another 25% don’t have a clue what they’re doing. Your odds are only one in four of hiring a craftsman who will do the work correctly at a fair price.
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