Rogue builder pleads guilty to £128,000 fraud

Paul Bagley, 42, of Robin Avenue, Harleston, Norfolk pleaded guilty today at Ipswich Crown Court to running a business for fraudulent purposes.

Suffolk Trading Standards secured the guilty plea, having worked alongside colleagues from the National Trading Standards Tri Regional Investigations Team to investigate complaints from consumers.

The court heard of how Bagley, also known to his victims as Bill Bagley and Billy Andrews, took large deposits for work that he never completed. 13 victims paid deposits totalling £128,598.20 for contracted work such as plastering, landscaping, and general building work including extensions, and home renovations, between January 2021 and April 2025.

Deposits ranging from £180 to £8,000 were taken from his customers, as well as sums for materials. In most cases Bagley offered to carry out additional work to what had initially been agreed, asking for further deposits, with his victims then being out of pocket for larger sums. The losses to his victims range from £450 to £36,050.

In each case Bagley used a range of excuses as to why the work was not undertaken or completed, including bad weather, vehicle breakdowns, fuel shortage, loss of labouring help, ill health of either Bagley or a family member and more serious excuses such as a family or friends’ death or murder.

Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, commented after the hearing:

“Suffolk Trading Standards works tirelessly to seek justice for our residents, and this case is a reminder that we will take strong action against rogue traders.

“Bagley’s victims suffered financial loss and great personal worry and stress because of his actions. He badly let these people down and it took great courage on their part to come forward and report him.

“People who commission building work to be done need to be able to do so with peace of mind. When that trust is breached it can have a devastating impact on the victims.

“We strongly advise householders to use Suffolk Trusted Trader, a scheme where consumers can be confident in the work that is being done and, in the businesses, carrying it out.

Suffolk Trusted Trader is a business partnership scheme where participants have completed a full vetting process and agree to trade fairly under a Code of Practice.

This covers transparent quoting and conducting work, only charging a fair and reasonable price, and dealing with complaints promptly.

For details go to trustedtrader.team/Suffolk/

The sentencing of Paul Bagley has been scheduled for 31^st July 2026.

Anyone who suspects they or someone they know is a victim of fraud can report this in confidence to Suffolk Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

Notes to Editors

Below are statements from some of Bagley’ victims. They have asked not to be named.

Victim A: I am a victim of fraud. That sentence makes me feel sick, angry, regretful, sad and makes me cry! Daily I think about the money, I wake up at night thinking about it, wishing I could turn back time. I will never trust anyone again. All my life I have been careful with money, often going without, trying to save for the future, a good and happy retirement. Then Bill came into our lives and our happiness was shattered.

Victim B: The psychological impact of dealing with Paul Bagley has been traumatising and distressing from our first meeting. He lied about his identity, his skills, photos of past work, timescales and costs. This experience has caused prolonged stress, anxiety and emotional strain. It has also had a lasting impact on our ability to trust others.

Victim C: I have been left deeply traumatised by the actions of Paul Bagley. The experience has had a significant and lasting impact on both my mental and physical health. In addition, we have suffered financially, being forced to spend further to rectify and resolve the issues left behind by Paul Bagley. I no longer take any pleasure in my garden, which was previously a place I enjoyed and took pride in. Instead, it serves as a constant reminder of the experience. I was vulnerable and he knew that. It makes me feel sick that he took advantage.