Southampton rogue trader must pay back £108 after making thousands

Lawrence Martin was jailed for five years for defrauding £643,398 from customers after making false promises as he carried out building works and repairs that he never finished.

A confiscation hearing at Southampton Crown Court heard how his company, CLJ Roofing Limited, also benefited £501,333 from his fraud. 

But appearing in court via video link from HMP Coldingley in Surrey, Martin was ordered to pay back just £108.96, with his company told to pay £1.

One of his victims was Eastleigh resident Judith Kipling, who employed Martin - of Burnham Chase in Southampton - to build a wet room in 2021.

She was duped out of £32,500 – all of her and her husband's joint life savings – and left only with shoddy and incomplete work.

Judith said the order is a “slap in the face”. She said: “It was supposed to be justice.

“We all knew we would never get anything back from him, but it beggars belief.

“It does not feel like justice at all.

“Lawrence is prolific, so when he gets out, he will do it again. Obviously, the court hasn’t taken this seriously. I am stunned.”

READ MORE: CLJ Roofing Ltd owner fleeced £642k out of 50 customers

During the hearing, prosecutor Ethu Crorie said £108.96 is the only available money to confiscate, adding that both accounts used by Martin are due to be closed by the bank.

Martin must pay in 56 days or serve an extra 14 days in jail.

Judge Brian Forster KC thanked all those who worked on the case against Martin.

As reported, Martin, 36, carried out botched jobs in 29 instances. In total, he defrauded more than 50 victims including a widow, those with disabilities, and the family of a terminally ill man, over the course of three years. 

He used "bullying behaviour" towards customers, using the money gained to buy more materials, work on other incomplete jobs or keep it for himself. He was jailed in February.

Chrissie Bacon paid Martin Lawrence of CLJ Roofing £44,000 for a garage conversion, but was left with incomplete work (Image: Chrissie Bacon)

The incidents took place across Hampshire, including in Southampton and Eastleigh, as well as in Chichester and on the Isle of Wight.

Chrissie Bacon was left £44,000 out of pocket when she paid Martin to carry out a garage conversion that was set to house her terminally ill father-in-law. 

But after a catalogue of mistakes and eventual abandonment of the project, the 52-year-old accountant from Bracklesham Bay in West Sussex was left with an incomplete house.

Her father-in-law has since died and was unable to live out his final days with his family.

Martin previously admitted carrying on a business or company with intent to defraud creditors, and participating in fraudulent business and trading. CLJ Roofing Ltd admitted money laundering.

Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards can go back to court to claw back more cash in the future.