By Charlie the Roofer for Roofline · Published · Checked against the sources listed below
Between 15 and 17 September 2026, Teesside Crown Court sentenced all 22 members of a gang that took more than £1 million from homeowners across the North East, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire for unnecessary or poor quality roofing and building work. Twelve were jailed. If a cold caller says your roof needs urgent work, agree to nothing and get a second look from a roofer you chose.
What happened at Teesside Crown Court
All 22 members of a criminal operation that pressured homeowners into paying for unnecessary or poor quality roofing and building work were sentenced at Teesside Crown Court between 15 and 17 September 2026. National Trading Standards announced the outcome on 17 September. Twelve were jailed for a combined 63 years and 3 months, and the other ten received suspended sentences.
The case was investigated by the National Trading Standards Yorkshire and Humber Regional Investigation Team, which is hosted by City of York Council. It found that the network took more than £1 million between May 2021 and August 2024, with 43 proven victims across Northumberland, County Durham, Teesside, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
- Walter Farrow, 55, of Stokesley, received the longest term, 7 years and 2 months, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to convert criminal property and two fraud offences.
- Frederick Finney, 48, described by National Trading Standards as one of the architects of the conspiracy, received 6 years and 9 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.
- Shane Farrow, 33, of Stokesley, received 6 years and 3 months after pleading guilty to the same two charges.
How the scam worked
National Trading Standards says the fraud usually began with a cold call about a small job, such as clearing gutters or replacing a roof tile. Once work began, the homeowner was told that much bigger repairs were needed urgently. Victims were pressured into agreeing, and the price climbed into thousands or tens of thousands of pounds.
The gang deliberately targeted vulnerable people, including older people and those living with ill health. One victim paid £133,400 for work valued at £3,350. Another paid £94,700 for roof work that a chartered surveyor valued at £3,107. The money was then moved and disguised through a large network of bank accounts.
Warning signs and what to do at the door
This case follows the same pattern as the loose tile pitch in our advice on doorstep roofers. Be wary when someone knocks unannounced about a small fault you cannot check yourself. Be more wary if extra urgent work appears once the job has started, or if the price keeps rising while you are asked to pay straight away.
National Trading Standards says you should not feel pressured into agreeing to work or making an immediate payment when work is offered on your doorstep. North Yorkshire Council advises you to close the door, agree to no work and hand over no personal details. Keep the caller off your roof and out of your loft. If someone tells you your roof has storm damage, read our guide to storm damage insurance claims before you agree to anything.
How to report a doorstep trader, and the safe next step
If you think you or someone you know has been targeted by a rogue trader, National Trading Standards asks you to contact the Citizens Advice consumer service.
- 999 if you feel threatened or a caller refuses to leave, as North Yorkshire Council advises.
- Citizens Advice consumer service, 0808 223 1133, to get advice and report the trader.
- Report Fraud, 0300 123 2040, to report fraud. GOV.UK says it replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025.
Then ask a roofer you chose yourself to take a second look. Roofline is based in Barnsley and covers Yorkshire. Our inspections are free, we send you photos of what we find, and our quotes are free and itemised. Send a photo on WhatsApp to 07413 797731, or book a free inspection through our contact page.
Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we think it is and whether it needs a visit. Quotes are free and itemised.
Sources
- National Trading Standards: 63 years' jail time for criminal gang behind £1m roofing fraud (17 September 2026)
- City of York Council: 63 years jail time for gang behind £1m fraud investigated by York team (17 September 2026)
- North Yorkshire Council: Rogue trader warning after man pretended to work for us (25 March 2025)
- GOV.UK: Report Fraud, new service from City of London Police (4 December 2025)
General information about roofing in England, checked against the sources above when published. It is not a substitute for advice about your own roof.
