THE victim of a rogue trader has opened up about the moment she realised she had been ripped off.

Cheryl Berney, from Callands, and her husband Christopher were left out of pocket to the tune of £1,300 after enlisting the help of a workman she found online.

She said: “I just Googled ‘tradesman’ in the area but I wouldn’t do that again.

“I would only book someone who was recommended to me or who was listed on sites like My Builder.

“I was in a bit of shock when it happened.”

In September 2015 Cheryl contacted Mark Marsden, 30 from, Newton le Willows, after looking online for a business to carry out home improvements including a new roof and windows on the recently-bought property.

This was the first time she had decided to use a search engine to find a tradesman.

Marsden priced the job and collected a total of £1,300 from Cheryl during two visits to the property as a deposit.

The rest of the money was required after the completion of the work.

The only documentation he gave her was on scraps of paper provided by Cheryl when she requested receipts.

No work was carried out and Marsden proved to be difficult to contact and failed to return any of their calls.

“We would call the company but when someone picked up the phone and they would say he no longer worked there,” said Cheryl.

This is when alarm bells started to ring.

After complaining to Warrington Trading Standards, Marsden was taken to court where he has since been ordered to pay more than £2,700.

Cheryl spoke of her relief that justice has been served and the money will be paid back in full.

“I’m glad it’s now over,” said Cheryl.

“It’s a relief.”

Marsden pleaded guilty to an offence of dishonestly making a false representation with the intention of making a gain for himself or causing loss to another.

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay compensation of £1,300. 

He also pleaded guilty to failing to disclose to the householder that she had a right to cancel the contract and was fined £200 for this offence.

The 30-year-old must also pay £1,000 in costs along with a victim surcharge of £40.

Following the sentencing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on June 7, Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member for public protection, said: “Our officers work hard to protect the public from falling victim to unscrupulous traders and these criminal actions will not be tolerated. 

“Their actions can cause great stress and upset not to mention the financial loss.”

For advice by Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline visit citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer.