ROGUE traders beware, we are out to get you.

That’s the warning from Dudley Council after the successfully prosecuted a Brierley Hill man for botched roof repairs on a Halesowen home.

We earlier reported how Gary Chance of Sedgeford Close, who traded as Apex Roofing, pleaded guilty at Dudley Magistrates Court to unfair trading under consumer protection regulations.

The workmanship was so poor that a new flat roof he fitted at the Halesowen house had to be replaced five months after installation, costing the homeowner a ‘totally unnecessary’ £8,299

The prosecution was brought by Dudley Council’s trading standards team, who said the roof replacement work he did failed to comply with building regulations.

The court also heard how the contract Mr Chance had with the consumer purported to be with a Limited Company, when it in fact was not.

In mitigation, Chance said this happened around the time he’d had a motorbike accident and he had relied on someone to make good the job.

The court fined Chance a total of £240. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30, costs of £2,931.95 and £8,299.85 compensation to the victims.

Now Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said: “This prosecution sends out a clear message we will protect consumers from the activity of rogue traders who flout the law and carry out sub standard work.

“This kind of activity causes a huge amount of distress to the victims who have worked hard and saved to pay for improvements to their homes and are then badly let down.”

Dudley Trading Standards Fix-a-Home scheme offers a list of local approved traders who provide services of a high standard at a fair cost, copies are available online