Crime
Milford ‘rogue builder’ sent to prison after Trading Standards prosecution
A BUILDER who continued to carry out shoddy work after appearing in court has started a 10 month prison sentence.
Scott Keane, of Milford Haven, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday October 6th in a case brought by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards team, who described him as a rogue builder in a post-court press release.
Keane, aged 42, had previously admitted six charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and appeared last week for sentencing.
The charges related to the poor replacement of a flat roof with a fibre glass roof in April 2021 and the removal of a chimney in July this year.
Both examples of shoddy work left householders out of pocket and having to carry out expensive remedial work.
Keane charged the householder £1,950 for the fibreglass roof which was also intended to be used as a terrace.
However, within days it became obvious that the work had been very poorly carried out and the roof was lifting away.
The structure was left unsafe. It had to be removed and replaced at a further cost of more than £2,000.
In July this year Keane was approached to take down a chimney and make good a roof of a home in Milford Haven.
The work was extremely poor, including removing brickwork in the dividing wall between neighbouring properties and creating a fire risk.
Keane did not respond to requests to return to rectify the problems or requests for a refund.
The householder contacted Trading Standards and an expert’s report said the roof had been left prone to storm damage with potential for debris to cause further damage and/or injury.
The roof was examined and cost of £1,500 to repair was estimated.
The chimney work happened just months after Keane had been placed under a suspended prison sentence in January 2022 for earlier shoddy work offences.
Then Keane had left a disabled pensioner with a leaking roof that needed to be replaced.
On Thursday Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Keane to six months in prison for latest offences and activated four months of the suspended prison term, totalling 10 months in prison.
Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “Pembrokeshire County Council is pleased with the imposition of a 10 month prison term for Scott Keane. The fact that he committed further unfair trading offences while placed under a suspended sentence shows a blatant disregard for the law and the impact of his offending on the victims.
“I commend our Trading Standards team for their diligent work in ensuring that once again Keane was not able to get away with providing shoddy work and leaving victims out of pocket.
“I hope this case once again underlines that we take rogue trader offences seriously and will prosecute wherever appropriate.”
Crime
Manslaughter charge following death in Carmarthenshire
DYFED-POWYS POLICE have confirmed Jason Thomas, 39, from Llanelli, has been charged with manslaughter following an incident on Saturday, March 25.
Police were called to a property in Robinson St, Llanelli to concerns for the welfare of a man.
Liam Rhys Morgan-Whittle, 22, was taken to hospital where he sadly passed away.
Jason Thomas was quickly arrested and later released on conditional bail while the police investigation continued.
He will appear at Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 30, it has been confirmed.
Crime
Dangerous dogs warrant executed by police in Carmarthenshire
POLICE have confirmed that a warrant under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was executed by Dyfed-Powys Police and the RSPCA at a property in Cefneithin Road, Gorslas, Carmarthenshire on Saturday, April 27.
Two prohibited dogs were removed from the premises, and an investigation is ongoing between the two agencies.
At the time of writing, please said that no arrests made.
Crime
Plea hearing for man accused of assault and strangulation
A HAVERFORDWEST man is appearing at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, April 26) charged with assaulting and strangling a woman
Oliver Torkington, 38, of Pembroke Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with two offences last month, and is in Swansea Crown Court today to make his plea, after the local court declined jurisdiction.
Torkington is alleged to have assaulted a woman in St Clears on March 23 and caused her actual bodily harm.
He is also accused of strangling her.
The case came before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 25 and Torkington has been remanded in custody since then.
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