Images reveal devestation left behind by Lancs cowboy trader

Photographs shown to Preston Crown Court reveal the unfinished gardens and poor-quality workmanship left behind after the rogue trader took almost £40,000 from customers before failing to complete promised jobs.

Jacob Whittle, 53, of The Martindales, Clayton-le-Moors, received a suspended prison sentence after admitting seven offences of fraudulent trading involving six victims between April 2023 and February 2025.

Jacob Whittle (Image: Facebook)

The court heard customers paid substantial deposits for landscaping projects, only for work to stall or be abandoned altogether.

Among those affected was Janet Grindrod, who paid Whittle £17,960 towards a £35,000 scheme to transform her gardens and install fencing.

One photograph from her property shows a large mound of earth, rubble and building materials left in the middle of the garden after work stopped.

Prosecutors told the court Mrs Grindrod had been promised a completed garden but was instead left with what amounted to "a pile of mud".

Other images submitted as part of the case show paving work appearing incomplete, with uneven gaps between slabs, exposed aggregate and sections requiring further remedial work.

An example of paving work shown to the court, with visible gaps between slabs and unfinished sections. (Image: LCC Trading Standards)

Victims described the stress of being left with unusable outdoor spaces and the prospect of paying other contractors to finish or repair the work.

The court heard that although many victims were ultimately able to recover their money through their banks, they were still left dealing with disruption, unfinished projects and a loss of trust in tradespeople.

Sentencing Whittle, Judge Andrew Jefferies KC said the impact went far beyond financial losses.

He said: "There is a lack of trust, a loss of faith in tradespeople and the stress caused by the money, the mess and the impact on family life."

The judge said Whittle had once operated legitimately but had fallen into difficulty before using money from new customers to fund work elsewhere.

Whittle was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity days.