Rogue builders slated for terrorising vulnerable people in Moray

Two rogue traders have pleaded guilty to a series of scams after they were snared by Moray Council’s Trading Standards.

Larry and Jerry Connors, trading as 'Tayside Drives', targeted elderly and vulnerable residents in Moray in 2015. Their work was both overpriced and of poor quality. When they sought payment, they bullied their victims and threatened them to part with their cash.

One elderly Elgin woman, Mary Brander (now deceased), was charged £3,200 for driveway repairs that were valued at less than a third of that. The pair refused to leave Mrs Brander’s premises until she paid them the cash.

Another victim refused to pay, and the Connors threatened violence to her and her children. When she still refused they smashed the work they had done.

Speaking after the hearing in Elgin Sheriff Court, Trading Standards officer, Muriel Allan, said everyone needs to be vigilant to scams and rogue dealers.

“We would urge all residents to engage tradesmen from a known company or from reliable recommendation, and never to accept an offer of work on the doorstep. No bona-fide business seeks work like that,” she said.

“These traders often use misleading or intimidating practices to obtain large amounts of money from Moray’s most vulnerable consumers, particularly the elderly"

“Common complaints include poor quality of work, quoting a low initial price which goes up significantly because of “extra work” and using threatening or intimidating behaviour to make sure they get paid"

“Trading Standards rely on information from the public to help identify the rogues. Every bit of information on problem traders helps us prevent people being ripped off.”

The two men, who gave address in England, will be sentenced at a later date.