Victim says she was left “betrayed” after months of excuses and broken promises

A BUILDER who defrauded 18 victims out of more than £82,000 has been jailed for three years and four months.

Lee Brown was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday (May 15) after admitting a series of fraud offences involving customers who paid him for building work that was either never completed or carried out to an unacceptable standard.

The court heard that Brown dishonestly obtained £82,771 over a four-year period by taking upfront payments from customers, often claiming the money was needed to buy materials.

Prosecuting counsel Mr Reynolds said many victims were left waiting for work that never began, while others were forced to pay additional money to have poor-quality work corrected.

The court was told that some of the offending continued while Brown was on both Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court bail for similar matters.

Mr Reynolds said the impact on victims had been severe and submitted that this should increase the sentence. He also highlighted Brown’s previous history, including a caution and a conviction for dishonesty.

The defence referred to ten character references and said there was a stark difference between Brown’s offending and his conduct in everyday life.

The court was told the offending had spiralled out of control during periods of bereavement and family illness. The defence also referred to Brown’s diagnosed PTSD, physical health problems, limited repayments to some victims, and his previous military service.

HHJ Crowther rejected calls for the sentence to be suspended and jailed Brown for 40 months.

Passing sentence, the judge described the harm caused to victims and said Brown had shown no shame in the number and nature of the excuses he used.

She also criticised the “hubris” shown when Brown gave victims false reasons for failing to attend their properties, when he was in fact attending court.

Victim impact statements described anxiety, trauma, family pressure and feelings of betrayal caused by Brown’s offending.

The court applied a 25% reduction for Brown’s guilty pleas, with further reductions reflecting his PTSD diagnosis and military service.

A timetable has now been set under the Proceeds of Crime Act in an attempt to recover money for victims. However, the prosecution said it was not expected that any assets or funds would be available for seizure.

Victim speaks out

ONE of Brown’s victims told The Herald she had been left feeling “betrayed” after months of excuses and broken promises.

The woman, who moved to Cross Hands three years ago, said she initially hired Brown after he had previously carried out work for her, including decking and a new garage roof.

After moving into her new property on June 26, she said she needed secure fencing installed and also wanted a summer house built.

Brown attended the property, assessed the work and agreed a price of £3,800.

She said: “He was going on holiday and came over and put up some chicken wire fencing. He assured me he would be there for the two weeks I was away.

“But when I came home there was no fencing. Then the text messages started. No van, no show. It went on for months.”

She said Brown would sometimes call late at night and that the excuses he gave were similar to those heard by other victims.

“It was always something. The same story he told everyone,” she said.

The victim later pursued a County Court Judgment and was awarded around £5,500. However, she said she has received only £75.

“He only has to pay back £25 a month,” she said. “All I’ve had is £75.”

She also claimed Brown used personal tragedies as excuses, including referring to the death of his father-in-law, despite him still being alive at the time.

She said: “After I gave him the money, I never saw him again.”

The victim said the case had been repeatedly delayed, with sentencing pushed back several times.

She added that she believes the scale of the fraud is wider than the 18 victims included in the case.

She said: “At the time there were 30 charges when he got to court, and now there’s upwards of 40 victims.

“He’s been doing this since 2021.”