A rogue roofer who cheated people out of money without delivering work and left properties vulnerable to the weather has been taken off the streets thanks to an investigation by Kingston Council.

James or "Jimmy" Slater from Surbiton has once again been sent to prison for Contempt of Court, after he repeatedly breached an enforcement order under the Enterprise Act 2002 banning him from rogue trading. 

The order was obtained by Kingston Council Trading Standards in 2019. Mr Slater had previously served nine months in prison for breaching this order in 2021.  

Upon his release from prison in 2022, Mr Slater continued to breach the order using various trading names such as All Guttering, JJGuttering and Just Guttering, as well as aliases including Jim Johnson.

Multiple victims came forward to complain he had taken money but done little or no work and even caused damage that left properties at risk from the weather. 

Following an investigation by Kingston Council's Trading Standards team, further action was taken in the courts.

In August 2024, His Honour Judge Saggerson found Mr Slater to have breached the order 16 times and taken significant sums of money from local residents.

As a result, Mr Slater was recently sentenced to various periods of imprisonment for all 16 breaches against each of the victims.

The sentences are to run concurrently, and he will serve a total of 21 months in prison.

Kingston Council's Portfolio Holder for Commissioning, Customer Contact and Equalities, Cllr Afy Afilaka said: "Our Trading Standards officers do a vital job keeping rogue traders like this off our streets and keeping consumers safe.

"It should serve as a warning to others that we will relentlessly pursue anyone who puts residents in our borough at risk and we will take action against you. 

 "I want to urge residents not to allow any trader who cold calls to undertake any works on their properties, even if they say it is an emergency.

"Anyone who thinks their property may need urgent roof or guttering works should, in the first instance, contact their insurers.

"Additionally, I strongly advise against engaging with cold callers for any reason, particularly to protect our more vulnerable residents."

The Enforcement Order banning Mr Slater from rogue trading remains in place and has no expiry date.

If he continues to breach it upon his release, further action will be taken to protect consumers.

To report a scam or suspected rogue trader contact the council's Trading Standards via the Citizen Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or by visiting the  Citizen Advice website. 

If you suspect a crime is being committed or have any concerns as to your or your neighbours immediate safety, always call 999.