Rogue gardener told to repay costs
A rogue gardener was back in court last week and ordered to repay more than £10,000 to customers after he failed to start work on their home.
Christopher Quaife who traded as Waterdrop Landscaping was previously sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to fraud at Wolverhampton Crown Court last year following an investigation by Dudley Council’s trading standards.
This investigation found that in two separate cases Quaife had taken money upfront for gardening work, which he failed to complete. One customer has paid a deposit of £8,000 and another £1,025.
When Quaife was sentenced last year, he was advised that Dudley trading standards would carry out a financial investigation into his assets.
At a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court last week, officers confirmed that Quaife’s benefit from criminal conduct was £10,739.25 and they had managed to trace assets totaling £14,660.03.
The court made an order of £10,739.25 to be paid as compensation to the victims, payable by August this year. If Quaife fails to pay, he could face a default prison sentence of six months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £3920.78.
Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health, said:
Following a further investigation, we have been able to trace assets, which can be used following the decision in court, to repay the victims and ensure they are not left out of pocket.
This sends a clear message that will do all we can to get justice for people who have suffered at the hands of rogue traders. If anyone thinks they have been targeted by a rogue trader, I’d urge them to get in touch.
Information about trading standards and how to contact the team can be found at https://www.dudley.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/