Rogue trader left Chorley widow more than £27,000 out of pocket for shoddy work

A Chorley widow was left more than £27,000 out of pocket after a rogue trader left work on her home unfinished.

Marie Pilkington asked Aiden John Shuttleworth, trading as Astar Property Maintenance, to look at her roof in October 2023.

Over the following 10 months, Shuttleworth repeatedly recommended more and more work, with costs escalating as further issues were identified.

Mrs Pilkington paid £27,400 before work stopped, leaving defects and unfinished jobs.

An independent surveyor later concluded that her original concerns could have been resolved through simple, low-cost measures and found much of the work carried out was unnecessary and completed to a very poor standard.

Thirty three-year-old Shuttleworth, from Blackburn, appeared at Preston Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to four offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

He was ordered to pay customers £43,700 in compensation after leaving customers across the North West 'significantly out of pocket' following unnecessary or poor-quality work.

Following this prosecution by Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards team, Shuttleworth was sentenced to suspended prison sentences totalling 10 months and two weeks, together with unpaid work, rehabilitation requirements and a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.

This restricts him from canvassing for or carrying out home improvement work at residential properties.

The court heard that between October 2023 and September 2024, Shuttleworth carried out poor-quality roofing and property maintenance work for customers in Chorley, Liverpool and Bolton.

He also recommended unnecessary work, falsely claimed to be VAT registered and, several times, failed to complete work for which he had been paid.

Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities at Lancashire County Council, said:

"This case highlights the significant harm rogue traders can cause, leaving homeowners out of pocket for poor-quality, shoddy workmanship or unnecessary work that simply was not needed, and causing considerable stress and anxiety.

"We encourage residents to be cautious when arranging home improvement work, obtain multiple quotations and check traders' credentials carefully before making any payment. Our officers will continue to take robust action against those who exploit consumers and undermine legitimate businesses."

Shuttleworth must also pay compensation of £5,624 in prosecution costs.

To report a rogue trader, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. For trusted local businesses, visit Lancashire’s Safe Trader Scheme at www.safetrader.org.uk