A roofer who charged a Watford woman for work that was never carried out has admitted fraud.

Billy Smith, 42, of Mansion Lane caravan site in Iver, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to four offences relating to invoices he made to a customer who employed him to fix her roof. 

Hertfordshire Trading Standards said Smith repaired a leaking roof for the woman in October 2012. 

When the leak returned in July 2013, the customer invited Smith back assuming the work was covered by guarantee. 

However the court heard Smith told her that the new leak was not connected with the previous one he had repaired. 

The woman then reluctantly agreed for him to carry out further work. 

However a Trading Standard’s investigations concluded that major parts of the job as listed on both invoices had not been carried out. 

Although the victim did not pay for the second job, she was still estimated by the expert to be £400 out of pocket. 

The investigation also found that what little work had been done was also of very poor quality. 

Judge Plumstead adjourned the case for probation reports ahead of sentencing on Friday August 29. 

Richard Thake, Hertfordshire County Council cabinet member for community safety, said: "Customers should be able to trust companies to give them a fair price and not take advantage of them. Charging excessive high prices can be a criminal offence and traders must meet the requirements of professional diligence."

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