Mark Harmer, who traded under the name MH Construction, was investigated by Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards after the service received a number of complaints about his inadequate building work.

Four homes in Oxfordshire and one in West Berkshire were affected between June 2008 and September 2011. In many cases, the 44-year-old demanded more money than was first agreed, for materials which had already been paid for.

This would often lead to a disagreement between the homeowner and Mr Harmer, who would then fail to deal with the complaint and leave the work unfinished, with the victim left to pay for someone else to complete it.

In all of the cases, the homeowners paid far more money than the actual work done by Mr Harmer.

Unsafe work

In one incident, a homeowner had an extension built on their house, but had to terminate the contract as the work not only overran, but Mr Harmer stopped work and failed to finish the job.

Oxfordshire Trading Standards instructed an engineer to assess the quality of the electrical work carried out by Mr Harmer. He concluded that the work fell far below the standard expected of a competent electrical contractor and said that many aspects were ‘deeply worrying’ and posed a danger to the occupants of the house.

On Monday 9 January 2012, after a thorough investigation, Mark Harmer pleaded guilty to five counts under The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Practices Regulations 2008. He was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday 3 February.

Anu Prashar, Acting Group Manager for Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, said: “This sentence shows the gravity of the offence. Each of these households were aggrieved, not only with financial losses, but with a great amount of anxiety and stress, as some of them were left living in one room in their house, and in one case, not even with a roof. We are pleased this has been reflected in his sentence.”

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, added: “Trading Standards do an excellent job of bringing people like this to justice. It is awful that these traders feel it is right to take advantage of people’s good will and operate in this despicable manner. It is important that if you have any concerns about a trader, contact Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service immediately on 0845 051 0845, or email trading.standards@oxfordshire.gov.uk, or visit our website.”