Rogue trader avoids jail after defrauding elderly women and fly-tipping roofing waste in Wiltshire
Two victims were refunded shortly before sentencing
A rogue trader who defrauded two elderly women out of tens of thousands of pounds and illegally dumped roofing waste in Wiltshire has been sentenced following a joint prosecution by Trading Standards and Environmental Enforcement teams.
Tony Lloyd, 24, of Ely, Cambridgeshire, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on 15th January, where he pleaded guilty to five offences. These included two counts of fraud, breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, and fly-tipping.
He received a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Lloyd was also required to pay £2,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £187.
Registered company misrepresented credentials
Lloyd was the sole director of First Roofcare Ltd, a company registered in Bristol, which falsely claimed membership with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC).
Lloyd was removed from CORC in October 2022 for poor workmanship and non-payment but continued using its logo despite warnings from Bristol Trading Standards.
Fraud targeting elderly victims
Two elderly women fell victim to the fraudulent practices of Lloyd’s business.
In November 2023, an 83-year-old woman from Frome, Somerset, contacted First Roofcare Ltd for roof repairs after receiving a company leaflet. She was initially quoted £700-£900, but Lloyd’s employee began removing roof tiles immediately before advising her that a full roof replacement costing £30,500 was required.
Pressured into agreeing to the work, the victim later discovered the repairs were unnecessary and poorly done. A Chartered Surveyor estimated the actual cost of necessary repairs would not have exceeded £600.
The victim described the personal impact of the scam, saying she had to live off beans on toast and jam sandwiches for months and has been entirely living downstairs due to the damage and financial strain.
In February 2024, a 75-year-old woman from Corsham contacted Lloyd after seeing an advert with the CORC logo. She was quoted £300 for moss removal, but Lloyd proceeded to remove roof tiles unnecessarily and claimed she required £30,000 worth of further work, which was reduced to £21,300.
The Chartered Surveyor later found the additional work was unnecessary and had caused damage to her roof. The second victim said her confidence had been significantly impacted and that the experience may affect her ability to live independently.
Both victims were refunded in full shortly before sentencing.
Fly-tipping of roofing waste
In an unrelated incident, roofing waste from First Roofcare Ltd was illegally dumped on land in Semington, Wiltshire, in February 2024. Broken roof tiles, battens, felt, and garden waste were discovered by a local resident who reported the fly-tipping to the council.
Environmental Enforcement Officers traced the waste back to materials sold to Lloyd's business and linked it to a property in Melksham where First Roofcare Ltd had been working.
Lloyd failed to comply with a legal notice requiring him to provide two years of waste transfer documentation, proving he had not been disposing of business waste lawfully.
Statement from Wiltshire Council
Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“Mr Lloyd has since refunded the money to the victims. However, he has caused a great deal of distress and inconvenience to his victims.
The consequences of this sort of behaviour often go far beyond the financial harm. Victims are often left with lasting practical and emotional problems, as well as a loss of trust.
There is no excuse for fly-tipping. This offence shows that Mr Lloyd has little regard for the law or the environment we live in. It also shows he has little care for following the correct business practices.
Wiltshire Council is committed to protecting local communities from fraud and environmental crime. We will continue to take robust action against offenders who try to dupe our residents like this.
I'd like to thank the homeowners who have assisted us in this case. Also, to the resident who reported the fly-tipping incident in the first place. Their actions have enabled us to obtain a successful prosecution.”