Dodgy workman - civil or criminal?

[WebMaster]

An old man down my road got ripped off by a shoddy workman last week. He was charged a couple of hundred quid for the replacement of a couple of roof tiles, and the workman ended up causing some damage while he was up there too.

 

My neighbour only had the workman's mobile number and name - no address or landline. I assumed - in my ignorance - that this would be a civil case: the auld fella would need to issue a small claim for unsatisfactory work etc, and without an address it would be hard work.

 

But then I was reading about a similar case in the local paper today: a trader charged a pensioner 40 quid to clean the guttering, but only did half a job. The trader was prosecuted for fraud by false representation and received a suspended sentence.

 

I'm curious about the point at which issues like these become criminal matters. Obviously the police would be in a much better position to help my neighbour, but I'd just assumed it was a purely civil matter.

 

Can anyone clear up my primitive, child-like grasp of law?

[f16]

Did your "friend" not get an invoice / receipt ?

 

It's not false representation because "he" did the job.

It would be a civil matter for damage.

 

Out of interest ....... Was this a "Door knocker" ??????????

Or did your "friend" ring them ????

 

£200 for 2 roof tiles !!!!! I wish !!!! More like £60 to £80.

Could try reporting to local Trading Standards.

 

There is also the problem of "proving" he / they caused the damage.

 

With regards to the phone number and name.

Could try Googling it.

 

No I'm trying to teach you to "suck eggs" Just trying to help