A court heard that a family-run building operation in Wales made £1.7 million ($2.2 million) through fraud while leaving homeowners with botched driveways, unfinished extensions, and other costly messes, according to the South Wales Argus.
Here's what to know
In a proceeds of crime hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, father and sons Ronald Connors, 50, Jeremiah Connors, 26, and Simon Connors, 29, were accused of fraud and unfair trading offenses committed against homeowners in Newport and Bristol.
The disputed work included driveways, gardens, extensions, and even a hot tub.
Prosecutor Tom Roberts said that eight people were left out of pocket from 2018 to 2020, losing tens of thousands of pounds to poor-quality work or abandoned projects, as the Argus reported.
The three men, of Rembrandt Way in St. Julians, Newport, pleaded guilty.
Ronald was said to have made £823,974.20, Jeremiah £573,603.10, and Simon £281,841.18, the outlet noted.
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The experience was a "nightmare," according to one of the victims.
More background
Ronald had previously been jailed for similar offenses in 2015 and again in 2018, the court heard.
Customers were misled, and some of the fraud was carried out under a company name that made the operation appear legitimate.
Ronald received a sentence of two years and six months in prison.
Jeremiah received a 55-week prison term suspended for two years along with 200 hours of unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Simon was given a 23-month prison sentence, also suspended for two years, plus 240 hours of unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
What's being done?
The court made confiscation orders against the trio's available assets, which totaled over £223,000, according to the Argus.
Each man has three months to pay.
If Ronald does not, he faces 18 months in prison; his two sons each face nine months if they fail to satisfy their obligations.
"What mattered to you was greed," Judge Carl Harrison said, per the Argus.
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