Rogue Builders Brought to Justice

Published on: 28 May, 2026
Updated on: 28 May, 2026

Unfinished roofing work Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Crooks from a £331,000 rogue builder network that “profited from the exploitation of elderly and vulnerable people” have been sentenced.

In 2019, fraudsters targeting people across Surrey, Essex and London pressured their victims into paying large amounts of money for building work that wasn’t needed or poorly executed, Trading Standards said.

The group would mislead homeowners claiming urgent repairs were needed and asked for upfront deposits for cranes and scaffolding that were not required or never provided.

On Thursday, May 21, they were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court after investigators uncovered a network of money launderers with the 54-year-old Lee Cross, originally from Romford, found to be at the centre of the organised network that helped move the criminal proceeds.

He has been sentenced to more than eight years in jail.

Officers said the sentences marked the culmination of a longstanding Trading Standards investigation.

Cross was found to have operated business bank accounts under different names, including A-Z Repairs, and that he was aware of the frauds.

He was also found to have provided the banking infrastructure to launder funds, move money rapidly between accounts and withdraw large amounts in cash, according to Surrey County Council.

In total the group laundered £331,223 of stolen cash – with two siblings in Epsom losing around £148,000 after being repeatedly pressured into unneeded work to the outside of their house.

Amanda Poole, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards assistant director said: “The sentencing marks the final step in bringing these doorstep fraudsters to justice, and most importantly, means the man at the heart of this operation, Lee Cross, will be behind bars.

“The sentences delivered should serve as a warning to those who seek to profit from such crimes.

“The sentences are also a testament to the vital, diligent work undertaken by our Trading Standards officers, and those of our partners, in protecting our residents from harm. I’d like to thank them all for their work on this investigation.”

Lord Michael Bichard, chair of National Trading Standards, said: “This criminal network profited from the exploitation of elderly and vulnerable people and pressured victims into handing over vast, sometimes life-changing, sums of money for unnecessary and poor-quality work.

“The harm caused by this type of fraud goes far beyond the money stolen, often leaving victims robbed of their confidence, independence and peace of mind.

“This investigation uncovered a vast network designed to move and hide stolen money, all while victims were left counting the cost. Today’s sentences show that those who enable and profit from exploiting victims can expect to face justice.”

The group were initially on trial from September 22 to November 13, 2025, resulting in multiple guilty verdicts for money laundering.

Cross, was also convicted of fraud and sentenced to a total of eight years and seven months.

Sorisa Richardson,45, from Romford, was given a 12-month community order with rehabilitation activity requirement.

Zoe Hoskyn, 40 from Hornchurch, was given a two-year suspended sentence and 12 month rehabilitation order.

Jason Walker, 35 from Blackburn was given a two year suspended sentence and 180 hours unpaid work which including a 25 percent reduction for his early guilty plea.

Pauline Walker, 70 from Romford was given a 22 month suspended sentence.