Builder jailed after victims’ cash spent on Lanzarote holiday

The BBC reports that a rogue builder who admitted stealing and defrauding customers was spotted spending clients’ money on holiday in Lanzarote, while leaving their homes unfinished and unsafe.

Christian Williams, 54, trading as Chris Williams Construction, is serving a two-year prison sentence after admitting one count of theft and three counts of fraud by false representation involving four families. A recent Proceeds of Crime Act hearing heard he benefited by more than £163,000 from his crimes, but has assets allowing him to repay just £1.

One of the victims, Shelley Sawkins, 75, from Buckley, Flintshire, said she realised something was wrong when she phoned Williams and discovered he was in Lanzarote despite having received around £30,000 for work on her home. The extension was left unfinished, with a leaking roof causing water to pour into the property while she cared for her husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease. The couple ultimately spent around £50,000 to rectify the botched project.

Other families also described paying tens of thousands of pounds for incomplete work, leaving them to fund costly repairs and finish the projects themselves. Victims said the experience caused severe financial hardship and significant emotional and health impacts.

The Federation of Master Builders confirmed Williams’ company was removed from its register in 2023 following complaints and renewed its call for a licensing system for builders to better protect consumers.

Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze9wpny62go