A roofing company director has been jailed for 27 months for fraudulent trading in several communities across Buckinghamshire. Gary Pons appeared for the prosecution. The case was heard at Aylesbury Crown Court on 9 June 2017 in front of His Honour Judge Tulk.
Kumarapan Kunaratnam targeted elderly and vulnerable residents, some in their 90s, with a package of roofing work that Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday (June 9) heard was unnecessary, of poor quality and overpriced.
Mr Kunaratnam, of Peterborough Road, Harrow, a salesman for Future Homes Development Ltd and sole director for Top Home Roofing Ltd and Top Home Group Ltd, admitted three counts of carrying on a business for fraudulent purposes during 2014 and 2015.
Prosecuting, Gary Pons recounted a catalogue of cases in which elderly and vulnerable residents were cold-called, and left a marketing leaflet about roofing repairs containing false claims about the materials used.
Then Mr Kunaratnam would price up the job, offer a misleading discount and get a signed contract. No explanation was given of a cooling-off period or cancellation rights, and by signing the contract, the residents had inadvertently waived their statutory cancellation rights. Contractors would turn up to start the work either the next day or a few days later.
Judge Tulk said Mr Kunaratnam’s actions were premeditated: being involved in the production of leaflets containing false claims about building materials used and cold-calling, as well as sub-contracting the work and taking payments.
“You deliberately targeted several elderly people and couples," Judge Tulk told Mr Kunaratnam. "You were actively involved, not just as the director, but on the front line. You were the brains and hands of the company."
She ordered him to pay compensation of £10,000 and banned him from being a company director for ten years.
Anne Wight, Buckinghamshire County Council's Deputy Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, paid tribute to the meticulous Trading Standards and Police investigation.
"This case gives a very clear message to those who would prey on our elderly and vulnerable residents, that we'll go to great lengths in striving to make Buckinghamshire a no-go area for doorstep criminals," she said.
Gary is a talented and dedicated barrister. He is skilled in defending cases where his approach is characterised by its careful planning and measured execution. Gary is ranked in Chambers and Partners (2017) as a leader in the field of criminal law at the London Bar.
