Telford rogue builder took life savings and pension from customers
A Telford builder has been sent to prison for over 5 years after defrauding a series of customers.
Steven Bailey, 43 from Apley in Telford was the Director of SBS (Telford) Ltd which was dissolved in October 2024.
He was found guilty of multiple fraud charges and sentenced to five and a half years in prison and disqualified from being a company director for 11 years following action from Telford and Wrekin borough council Trading Standards team.
Bailey’s criminal activities involved deceiving homeowners by misleading them about the progress of construction projects, including failing to deliver materials and leaving jobs incomplete.
He took significant sums of money from victims, often for materials he never intended to order, and used the funds to support online gambling and a family holiday to Dubai.
One victim paid £3,000 for bi-fold doors, another paid him just under £52,000 for shoddy work that he failed to complete. His dishonest practices were not isolated incidents; they spanned across various victims, with work being delayed for months while he moved on to other projects.
Bailey’s actions had severe impacts on elderly and vulnerable people and meant they faced significant financial and emotional distress. One victim sold their car and used their life savings to cover the costs of unfinished work.
At one site, the defendant failed to satisfactorily tie new walls to an existing building, meaning bricks could be removed by hand, leading to demolition of the structure. Bailey even defrauded customers in his own street.
His techniques included front loading payments for contracts, obtaining cash under duress and what work was carried out was often substandard and in some cases, dangerous.
He left one retired Muxton couple, tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket.
They told Telford Live “I can only say that I’m glad it’s all over. What Bailey has done to us is is beyond belief.
“Obviously a big thank you to the Trading Standards team for all their hard work.
“Steven Bailey has taken our life savings, our pension and our ability to enjoy our retirement.”
The case serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting consumers from rogue traders.
Telford & Wrekin Council’s trading standards team continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the public by investigating and prosecuting those who engage in fraudulent practices.
Pic: Shoddy work by Steven Bailey
