A BISHOP Auckland teenager has been fined for attempting to overcharge a man by more than £1,500 for a simple roofing repair work on his property.

Johnboy Watson Harrop, who was acting under the name JH Rooflines, cold-called the victim at his home in Crook in August 2020, offering his services.

The victim mentioned an issue with a rear bedroom ceiling, which showed a damp patch.

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After inspecting the ceiling of the house, Harrop went on to quote a price of £2,100, providing an invoice which the resident agreed to pay.

The following day, Harrop and two other men arrived to carry out roofing work.

However, the resident reportedly said the workmen arrived with no equipment and had to ask for ladders and a saw.

Later that day, the victim went to a bank to withdraw money to pay Harrop, but he was queried by a bank assistant, who then contacted the police.

The Northern Echo: Harrop attended Peterlee Magistrates recently, where he was slapped with a fine for his part in the overcharging incident. Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO/Harrop attended Peterlee Magistrates recently, where he was slapped with a fine for his part in the overcharging incident. Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO/

Police attended the victim's home to find the two men present but Harrop not on site. One of the men rang Harrop, who attended a short time later for interview with the police.

Alongside a police investigation, Durham County Council’s Trading Standard team launched a separate investigation, with a survey of the property carried out by an expert, who assessed the value of the work be just £500 in total.

The works carried out by the defendant were deemed unnecessary, as it had not remedied the problem, which still remained an issue.

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In the aftermath of the investigation, Harrop, 19, of Addison Road, Bishop Auckland, was charged with exerting undue influence on the consumer's circumstances in carrying out unnecessary roofing work on property and contravening the requirements of professional diligence.

He pleaded guilty to both charges in a hearing at Peterlee Magistrates' Court.

In mitigation, the court heard that Harrop was working on behalf of his father's business at the time of the offences and his father has now taken back control of the firm.

The Northern Echo: The roof on the Crook property that Harrop was tasked with repairing. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.The roof on the Crook property that Harrop was tasked with repairing. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

His defence solicitor added that the offences were not sinister and that Harrop had got his budgeting wrong when agreeing the work on the house.

Harrop was fined £562, reduced from £750 due to his guilty pleas, and was also ordered to pay costs of £1,506 and a victim surcharge of £56.

Joanne Waller, head of community protection services at Durham County Council, said: "The work undertaken in this case was significantly overcharged and unnecessary. It could have left the victim paying over £1,500 more than was needed to fix the issue at his property, which was still not remedied after Mr Harrop's visit.

"Our Trading Standards team will always seek to support legitimate traders and protect consumers, while taking the necessary action against those who mislead residents."

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