Shane Steven Rollinson, a rogue builder from Walsall, has been convicted of defrauding two residents out of over £31,000 with poor-quality work on home extensions and improvements. Rollinson, who is currently on the run, was found guilty after an investigation by Walsall Council’s Trading Standards exposed his fraudulent actions.
Rollinson initially presented himself as a trustworthy and friendly builder, convincing his clients to undertake more work than they had originally planned. He demanded upfront payments for materials that were never delivered, repeatedly asked for additional funds due to alleged price increases, and claimed the need for better tradesmen. However, when his tradesmen did arrive, they too demanded extra money, as Rollinson had failed to pay them.
Despite the significant amounts of money paid by the residents, Rollinson’s excuses for his absence included illness and family emergencies. A surveyor deemed the work completed as “poor quality, lacking reasonable care and skill, and not fit for purpose.” The total financial loss for the two Walsall residents was over £31,000, yet the work done was valued at only £2,600.
Rollinson, who operated under various business names including SN Brickwork, SSR Brickwork & Driveways, and Brickwork Best, attempted to evade detection by pretending to be a business associate. When he became aware of the investigation, he even tried to influence witnesses to withdraw their evidence, which led to additional charges of perverting the course of justice.
At his trial, Rollinson was found guilty of one count of participating in a fraudulent business and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice by pressuring witnesses. Despite the conviction, Rollinson failed to attend pre-trial hearings and remains at large.
Councillor Garry Perry, Leader of Walsall Council, expressed his dismay over the scam, saying, “I am appalled by the work carried out by Mr. Rollinson, leaving residents thousands of pounds out of pocket. Much of the work was never done, and some work was done to a very poor standard. I would like to thank our Trading Standards team for bringing this case to the Crown Court for prosecution.”
He also emphasized the importance of consumer rights, stating, “It is vital that residents are aware of their consumer rights when it comes to trading standards regulations being breached. Officers have the right to inspect and investigate businesses who are not compliant with the law.”
Walsall residents are urged to report any concerns about businesses or traders who fail to follow the law. Those with information about Rollinson’s whereabouts are asked to contact authorities immediately.