Date published: 2026-04-13 | Category: Delivering for local residents, Focusing on prevention
A Bath‑based builder has been sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment after defrauding a vulnerable resident out of more than £166,000.
Bryan Adams, 36, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after an investigation by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team uncovered that Adams had taken advantage of the client for a significant period of time, the building work was structurally unsound and left the resident’s property uninhabitable.
Adams, who was homeless at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty on 19 December 2025 to carrying on a business for a fraudulent purpose, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006. He admitted taking large sums of money from his client by failing to complete agreed work, failing to supply materials already paid for, and grossly overcharging for the work he did undertake.
He returned to Bristol Crown Court for sentencing on 8 April 2026, where a judge imposed a custodial sentence of 2 years and 6 months.
Between 10 June 2023 and 3 December 2024, Adams received more than £166,000 from his client to construct a single‑storey side extension. Instead of using the funds solely as intended to pay suppliers and labour costs, he used a large proportion of the money to fund his gambling addiction. His total gambling losses during this period exceeded £60,000.
Adams repeatedly lied to obtain further payments, including falsely claiming that his bank account had been frozen and insisting on cash for materials. He also claimed to have reached his daily cash‑withdrawal limit, despite making no withdrawals at all.
In one instance, he told the homeowner that the boiler had failed and charged for a replacement. A Bosch boiler sticker was placed on the existing unit to make it appear that a new boiler had been installed. No new boiler had been fitted.
A specialist building surveyor instructed to assess the annex described the workmanship as “quite appalling,” stating it had been carried out by unskilled and incompetent individuals with little understanding of basic domestic construction. The annex was deemed structurally unsound and has since been demolished.
The homeowner was left with an uninhabitable property and losses estimated to be in excess of £166,000.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Communications and Community at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “This case is a stark reminder of the devastating impact rogue traders can have on people in our community. This prosecution sends a strong message to others who may consider similar behaviour that they could face serious consequences. Credit goes to our Trading Standards team who work tirelessly to protect residents from harm and are meticulous in pursuing traders who breach the law.”
Anyone who thinks they might have fallen victim to a rogue trader, should report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service who work in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Trading Standards. Telephone 0808 223 1133.
Before agreeing to any work, your local Trading Standards team recommend that you:
- Read reviews of traders and if possible use the Buy with Confidence Approved Trader Scheme.
- Ask at least three approved traders for quotes.
- Never pay up front and never pay cash.
- Say no to doorstep sellers.
- Always get a detailed written quotation/contract.
- Check the builder’s references and even pay visits to the references.
Ask your neighbours, family or friends for personal recommendations of builders who have worked for them and carried out a good job.