Notorious cowboy builder gets ASBO

Paul Henstone. (s)

NOTORIOUS Warwickshire cowboy builder Paul Henstone has become the county's first ever trader to be slapped with an ASBO.

Henstone, who was recently imprisoned for fraud, carried out shoddy building work at homes across the region.

At Coventry County court on August 28 he was given an anti-social behaviour and warned by a judge he faces up to two years in prison should he breach its conditions.

The order prevents him from:

· Working in the building industry other than as an employee of a company which has been incorporated for at least five years.

· Being involved in estimating, quoting, negotiating contracts or collecting payments from customers in connection with any building, home improvement or landscaping service.

· Using any name other than the one shown on his birth certificate for business purpose.

· Taking consumers to any bank or other financial institution to withdraw money.

· Acting in such a manner as to cause, or be likely to cause, alarm, harassment or distress to any person in the course of his trade, business or profession.

Warwickshire County Council community protection chief, coun Richard Hobbs, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure an ASBO against this trader.

“We will continue to protect both Warwickshire consumers and genuine traders from the activities of rogues.”

In 2007 Henstone was prosecuted by Solihull Trading Standards in relation to shoddy building work carried out at a consumer’s home, but subsequently gave Warwickshire Trading Standards a formal undertaking that he would improve his business practices.

Following further consumer complaints, in 2009 Warwickshire Trading Standards sought a Court Order against him, requiring him to change his ways.

In 2011 Mr Henstone was prosecuted by the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) for three fraud offences and also being involved in the management of a company whist being an un-discharged bankrupt. He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, of which he served four before being released on licence.

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