Criminal gang sentenced for £1m roofing fraud which included victims in Northumberland

The network extracted more than £1 million from victims for unnecessary, poor-quality and grossly overpriced work between May 2021 and August 2024.

One of the first identified victims was an elderly woman in Ashington who was scammed out of £59,000 for work valued by an independent chartered surveyor at just £1,500.

While the investigation commenced with Northumberland Trading Standards it quickly escalated and eventually led to the uncovering of a major fraud network with 22 gang members involved.

Trading Standards teams identified 43 proven victims across Northumberland, County Durham, Teesside, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. They also uncovered an extensive money laundering network used to move and disguise victims’ money through numerous bank accounts.

In Northumberland two other cases subsequently came to light. A man in Bedlington was targeted between December 2022 and February 2024. In total the consumer was charged £146,000 for roofing and property repair work. An independent chartered building surveyor valued the work carried out at £22,500.

A 77-year-old woman from Morpeth was also cold called in December 2023. A man offered to fix a tile for £20; but then two vans and four men arrived, and suddenly £8,000 worth of work was said to be needed and was started immediately. The independent surveyor deemed the work to be unnecessary and substandard.

Twelve men from addresses across the north of England were jailed for a combined 63 years and three months.

Cllr Gordon Stewart, cabinet member for Public Safety said: “This case shows how easy it is to get taken in by doorstep criminals who can appear friendly and genuine but can scam people out of an extortionate amount of money.”

Seven members of the gang were sentenced on 15 September:

Frederick Finney, 48, of HMP Holme House (previously of Bickerton, West Yorkshire) – sentenced to 6 years 9 months immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Carla Finney, 48, of Hillfield Close, Seamer, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 5 years’ immediate imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Andrew Carty, 37, of HMP Dovegate (previously of Normanby, Scunthorpe) – sentenced to 5 years and 4 months immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Michael Olssen, 38, of Richmond Road, Hessle, Humberside – sentenced to 4 years and 11 months immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Shannon Finney, 22, of Hillfield Close, Seamer, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years after being convicted of conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Christopher Morley, 36, of North Lincolnshire – sentenced to 24 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Allan Smith, 36, of Gainford, Birtley, Gateshead – sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years after pleading guilty to two fraud offences and converting criminal property.

A further seven were sentenced on 16 September:

Walter Farrow, 55, of Birch Close, Stokesley, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 7 years and 2 months’ immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to convert criminal property and two separate fraud offences.

Tyler McBride, 30, of Chaucer Road, Darlington, Durham – sentenced to 6 years’ immediate imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Isaac Farrow, 31, of Sewerby Crescent, Stokesley, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 5 years and 4 months’ immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Michael Mather, 35, of HMP Northumberland (previously of Kingsbury Mews, Darlington, Durham) – sentenced to 4 years’ immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Charlie Farrow, 37, of Hillfield Close, Seamer, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 3 years’ immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Sonja Edgar, 44, of Apple Tree Road, Stokesley, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment suspended for 3 years after being convicted of conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Daniel Moody, 34, whereabouts unknown – sentenced to 6 years’ immediate imprisonment after being convicted in his absence of conspiracy to convert criminal property following a trial.

The final eight defendants were sentenced today (17 September):

Shane Farrow, 33, of Birch Close, Stokesley, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 6 years and 3 months’ immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Thomas Winter, 34, of HMP Northumberland (previously of Guisborough, North Yorkshire) – sentenced to 42 months’ immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Ryan Watson, 27, of Darnton Drive, Middlesbrough – sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Serena Robertson, 25, of Hebron Road, Stokesley, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Chelsea Bayliss, 24, of Allen Court, Stokesley, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

James Hope, 37, of Gainford, Gateshead – sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Nicole O'Brien, 36, of South Parkway, Seacroft, Leeds – sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Ben Ware, 34, of York Road, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire – sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.