Belfast Builder Convicted For Shoddy Work

A Belfast trader who "held householders to ransom" and carried out a loft conversion to sub-standard quality was convicted yesterday.

Laganside Magistrates' Court heard that Gareth Axon, who traded as Loft ‘N’ Space, was taken on by a Carrickfergus couple to convert the roofspace of their bungalow.

But building work was "somewhat protracted", a spokesman for Northern Ireland’s Trading Standards Service said, and the work had ventilation and insulation shortcomings.

When Carrickfergus Borough Council made these problems clear to Mr Axon, he asked the couple for £5,080 extra to finish the work, and when they didn't pay he left the loftspace as it was.

Bill Malloy of the Trading Standards Service said: "These house holders were essentially being held to ransom. This trader was trying to make the householder pay for his shortcomings."

Mr Axon will be sentenced at a later date.

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly with regard to building or home renovation work should contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.

(NE)