Tradesman prosecuted over unnecessary and poor quality work

A trader who left customers across the north west 'significantly out of pocket' has been ordered to pay customers £43,700 in compensation over unnecessary or poor quality work.

Aiden John Shuttleworth, 33, from Blackburn, trading as Astar Property Maintenance, appeared at Preston Crown Court on 11 September after previously pleading guilty to four offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Shuttleworth was sentenced to suspended prison sentences totalling 10 months and two weeks, together with unpaid work, rehabilitation requirements and a five year Criminal Behaviour Order. This restricts him from canvassing for or carrying out home improvement work at residential properties.

The prosecution followed an investigation by Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards team.

The court heard that between October 2023 and September 2024, Shuttleworth carried out poor quality roofing and property maintenance work for customers in Chorley, Liverpool and Bolton. He also recommended unnecessary work, falsely claimed to be VAT registered and several times failed to complete work for which he had been paid.

Widow Marie Pilkington, from Chorley, asked Astar Property Maintenance to look at her roof in October 2023. Over the following 10 months, Shuttleworth repeatedly recommended more and more work, with costs escalating as further issues were identified.

Mrs Pilkington paid £27,400 before work stopped, leaving defects and unfinished jobs. An independent surveyor later concluded her original concerns could have been resolved through simple, low cost measures and found much of the work carried out was unnecessary and completed to a very poor standard.

Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities at Lancashire County Council, said: "This case highlights the significant harm rogue traders can cause, leaving homeowners out of pocket for poor quality, shoddy workmanship or unnecessary work that simply was not needed, and causing considerable stress and anxiety.

"We encourage residents to be cautious when arranging home improvement work, obtain multiple quotations and check traders' credentials carefully before making any payment. Our officers will continue to take robust action against those who exploit consumers and undermine legitimate businesses."

Shuttleworth must pay compensation of £43,700 plus £5,624 in prosecution costs.