Cowboy Builder Jailed Following Merthyr Tydfil Trading Standards Investigation

A builder has been jailed after a Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Trading Standards investigation found that a Merthyr Tydfil couple were left with an unsafe, unfinished property and significant financial losses.

Chris Young, trading as CAY Builders, was sentenced to 13 months' imprisonment after admitting consumer protection offences relating to the major home renovation project.

The homeowners hired Young after seeing his services advertised on Facebook. He assured them that renovation works valued at £35,000 would be completed within ten weeks and comply with Building Regulations. However, soon after the start, attendance on site became erratic and the customers did not see much progress. After six weeks Young had already received £30,000 in payments but significant parts of the work remained unfinished. The situation came to a head when Young demanded the final £5,000 payment, along with an additional £4,000 beyond the agreed contract price. When questioned about costs and compliance with Building Regulations, he left the site, removing equipment and structural supports, leaving the property unsafe and exposed to the elements.

Subsequent inspections by Building Control and independent experts identified extensive defects, including structural failures, poor workmanship, inadequate insulation, and non-compliance with Building Regulations. A living room ceiling put up by Young and his workers later collapsed. The homeowners were forced to spend over £42,000 on a new builder for remedial works. Other costs included electrician, gas, structural engineer, Total losses just on the building work were estimated at more than £72,000.

During sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court on 14 September 2026, the judge described Young's culpability as "very high" and said he had left behind "a wave of destruction". The court heard that despite promises to the homeowners, Young had never contacted Building Control.

Despite allowing credit for his guilty pleas, the court imposed an immediate custodial sentence of 13 months, concluding that the offences were too serious for any other penalty.

Craig Rushton, Trading Standards Team Leader for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: "Home improvements can represent a significant financial investment. Consumers should carry out checks on builders before work begins, verify any trade association memberships and always ensure there is a written contract in place."

Paul Lewis, Head of Public Protection, said: “We will continue to protect residents of Merthyr Tydfil from rogue traders during this cost-of-living crisis and beyond. Our Trading Standards service, where possible, will investigate businesses, especially those who do not comply with the requirements of Fair-Trading regulations. Businesses providing building services to our residents have a duty to provide a fair and honest service.”