Crime

Prolific west Wales rogue trader sent back to prison for six years

Published

5 months ago

February 13, 2026

LEE SLOCOMBE, 33, previously of Delhi Street, Swansea has been sent back to prison for six years for a £400,000 fraud against nine victims, following dangerous building work he carried out at properties in Cardiff, Bridgend and Swansea.

The total loss to his victims was calculated at least £547,000, after considering the costs incurred to rectify the dangerous work he carried out.

On 20^th October 2025, Slocombe pleaded guilty to two charges of participating in a fraudulent business between March 2021 and May 2023. One charge was brought directly against him, with a further charge against his company, LSP Developments. Slocombe was on Crown Court bail when these offences were committed.

In sentencing, on 11^th February 2026 Cardiff Crown Court heard that Slocombe targeted nine people seeking work to be carried out at their properties, ranging from rendering a shed to building a two‑storey extension. The work was completed to an appalling standard, with Slocombe often convincing his victims that work was required when it was not. He frequently left work incomplete, leaving victims with significant restoration bills.

His actions caused significant financial hardship to his victims, who were forced to take out loans and overdrafts and, in some instances, withdraw money from their pension pots to rectify the poor‑quality work he had carried out. Some of the victims were elderly and vulnerable.

The court heard that Slocombe has previous convictions for fraud dating from 2015 to 2023, during which time he was sent to prison on two occasions. In 2015, he was jailed for 43 months for three offences of fraud, and in 2023 he received a sentence of five years and five months after defrauding seven families of £150,000 through similar sub‑standard building work.

Slocombe was made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from carrying out building, maintenance or gardening work in the UK for life. He was also disqualified from being a company director until 2031.

Given his previous dishonesty, Slocombe used a false name when dealing with customers, calling himself Lee Lewis, to prevent them from discovering his previous convictions for similar offences.

At Cardiff Crown Court, His Honour Judge Felstead described Slocombe as a persistent rogue builder who operated dishonestly. The judge said Slocombe falsely escalated costs and that any work he did carry out was to an “appalling standard”, with some homes being “virtually destroyed”.

In two cases, Slocombe brought a fake and unqualified gas engineer to carry out work at properties, leaving them in a “potentially lethal state”. In one instance, carbon monoxide leaked into a property where a 10‑month‑old child was living.

Cllr Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services at Cardiff Council, said: “Lee Slocombe caused immense misery to his victims, carrying out sub‑standard work and leaving some properties in such a state of disrepair that they were open to the elements, not watertight and simply dangerous. The stress he caused is unimaginable, and he deserves to be sent directly back to prison.

“I would like to thank all the staff who enabled us to bring this case to court. Hopefully, this outcome provides some closure for the victims, knowing that he is where he belongs – back behind bars.”

Crime

Llandeilo man accused of rape sent to Crown Court

Published

7 minutes ago

July 2, 2026

Court Reporter

Ben Barrett remanded in custody ahead of Swansea hearing

A LLANDEILO man accused of rape has been sent to Swansea Crown Court.

Ben Barrett, 37, of Maes y Farchnad, Llandeilo, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2).

He is charged with rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Llandeilo between March 21 and March 31, 2025.

No plea was entered during the magistrates’ court hearing.

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Barrett was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Cilgerran man accused of intentional strangulation in Haverfordwest

Published

19 minutes ago

July 2, 2026

Court Reporter

Carl Rago remains in custody after separate guilty plea to damaging police property

A CILGERRAN man accused of intentionally strangling a woman in Haverfordwest has been remanded in custody.

Carl Rago, 29, of Penffynnon, Cilgerran, Cardigan, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2) for a mention hearing.

The court register states that Rago is charged with intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on May 25.

No plea is recorded on the court register for that charge.

Rago has also indicated a guilty plea to a separate charge of criminal damage.

That offence relates to damage caused in Haverfordwest on June 7 to the inside of a police vehicle, described as a C30 Vauxhall van, and a Samsung mobile phone belonging to Dyfed-Powys Police.

The damage was valued at under £5,000.

Magistrates remanded Rago in custody after the hearing. The court register records the remand basis as including a likelihood of further offending, breach of bail, previous record and character, and the nature and seriousness of the offences.

The case was adjourned for a further mention hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 23.

Crime

Currys theft spree defendant remains in custody as sentencing is delayed

Published

1 hour ago

July 2, 2026

Court Reporter

Man admitted offences including £1,525 Haverfordwest theft and £7,664 Carmarthen theft

A MAN who admitted stealing thousands of pounds worth of electrical items from Currys stores, including branches in Haverfordwest and Carmarthen, has been remanded in custody after his sentencing was adjourned.

Ilia Patchkoria, 27, of no fixed abode, Bacup, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2) for a mention hearing.

He had previously indicated guilty pleas to eight theft charges involving Currys stores across Wales and the south west of England.

The court register states that Patchkoria stole electrical items worth £1,525 from Currys PC World in Haverfordwest on May 23.

On the same day, he also stole electrical items worth £7,664.78 from Currys PC World in Carmarthen.

Further offences involved thefts from Currys stores in Torquay, Barnstaple, Penzance, Plymouth and Truro between May 14 and May 18.

The total known value of the stolen goods is at least £17,459.46, with the value of the Truro offence listed as unknown.

Magistrates remanded Patchkoria in custody after the hearing. The court register records the remand basis as including a likelihood of further offending, failure to surrender, the nature and seriousness of the offences, breach of court orders, and the real prospect of a custodial sentence.

The case was adjourned for sentence at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 16.