Cowboy Builder Jailed for After Losing Customers £200,000

A rogue builder who caused financial losses totalling £200,000 for his customers has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, following a prosecution led by Cornwall Council.

Scott Andrew Murray, 36, from Nancegollan, Helston, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on January 9, 2025, after pleading guilty to charges of fraudulent trading.

Murray, who operated landscaping businesses Icon Landscapes Limited and later Select Landscapes, engaged in deceptive practices between July 2018 and March 2023. Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards Officers investigated 19 incidents involving local consumers who suffered substantial losses due to his fraudulent behavior.

Pattern of Fraudulent Practices

While running his businesses, Murray repeatedly took advantage of customers through tactics such as:

• Demanding deposits and staged payments for materials and works without providing formal contracts.
• Failing to start work or completing projects to substandard and unsafe levels.
• Falsely claiming to have ordered materials that were never purchased.
• Offering misleading excuses to delay or avoid completing work, including blaming his workers’ skills and falsely claiming his father had died.

One particularly shocking incident involved a pergola built so low that the customer couldn’t stand underneath it, which Murray attempted to “fix” by propping it up with blocks of wood (pictured above). In another case, a breeze block wall was constructed directly on patio slabs without stabilizing foundations, and a patio was laid on top of a wooden post that Murray falsely claimed had been removed.

Victims Suffer Financial and Emotional Losses

In total, Murray’s fraudulent actions left customers £200,000 out of pocket. Despite this, investigations revealed he spent over £40,000 on personal luxuries, including dining out, entertainment, and holidays, in addition to drawing a salary from the businesses.

Ahead of sentencing, Murray refunded approximately £82,000 to some of his victims.

Judge Simon Carr condemned Murray’s actions during sentencing, stating he took on work he knew he could not deliver and caused significant distress to his victims. Some of the victims, Judge Carr noted, spent their final years hoping for gardens that were never completed, leaving a devastating impact on their lives.

Officials Urge Consumers to Use Trusted Traders

Councillor Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for Public Protection at Cornwall Council, praised the efforts of Trading Standards in securing Murray’s conviction.

“The financial and emotional impact that these crimes leave on their victims cannot be underestimated,” he said. “While genuine businesses can face challenges, this case sends a strong message to those who intentionally exploit their customers. I encourage consumers to use trusted traders, such as those approved through the Trading Standards ‘Buy With Confidence’ scheme.”

Gary Webster, Group Leader for Trading Standards, expressed gratitude to the victims for their cooperation in the lengthy legal process.

“As this case shows, securing convictions for such offenses can take significant time,” he said. “Many victims face the reality of receiving little to no compensation, but their willingness to support the prosecution was essential in achieving justice.”