Shifty roofers have been ordered to pay £26,400 in compensation after charging a customer more than double the agreed price and leaving the job unfinished.
Hillingdon Council’s trading standards team found Billy Dunbar, 26, of Wraysbury, and John Smith, 23, of Hersham, misled a customer through unfair commercial practices in Hatherleigh Road, Ruislip. Both admitted to the offences.
The council launched its investigation after NatWest Bank contacted trading standards on February 16, 2023, over large payments being made from the victim’s account for roofing work.
The pair, who traded as business partners at Pinner Roofing, were sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Dunbar received a four-and-a-half-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation activity, and was ordered to pay £1,200 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge, in addition to compensation.
Smith was given an 18-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days, £1,200 in costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.
Cllr Adam Bennett, Hillingdon Council’s cabinet member for community, environment and enforcement, said: “This must have been a distressing experience for the victim. Our priority is to protect our residents from rogue traders.”
The victim initially agreed to pay £25,000 for a replacement roof but was later told the work would cost £46,000. Dunbar then demanded a further £8,950. After paying £52,800 in total, the customer refused to pay more, and the roofers abandoned the incomplete job.
Before a hearing in January 2026, the pair each repaid £13,200, covering half of the victim’s losses.
Feature image: Hillingdon Council
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