A BUILDER from Newent has been sentenced after accepting a £10,000 upfront payment from a customer for a garage conversion but failing to carry out the work.

Despite repeated pleas to return and complete the job or refund the money, he failed to deliver any meaningful progress on the project.

Kurtis Jelf, aged 36, of Knowles Road, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday, July 22, to a charge under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations following an investigation by Gloucestershire County Council’s Trading Standards team.

Jelf, who traded under the name Gloucester Construction Ltd, was handed a community order requiring him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work within 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 in compensation to the victim within 12 months and was disqualified from acting as a company director for 15 years.

The court heard that Jelf was paid £10,000 up front by a customer for materials to begin a garage conversion. However, he delivered only a small portion of what was needed, made repeated excuses for not attending the property, and ultimately failed to complete the job, refund the money, or supply the remaining materials.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for trading standards at the county council, said: “No one should be left out of pocket or misled when dealing with a trader, and we take these matters very seriously.

“This case shows that dishonest traders will be held to account by our Trading Standards team. We always advise residents to get multiple quotes, check reviews, and agree staged payments to protect themselves.”

Anyone who needs advice about a problem with a trader can call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.

More information is available at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/trading-standards or through the national trader approval scheme www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.