Ten of the worst crimes committed by prolific cowboy trader Adam Priestley as he turned homes into 'building sites'

Adam Priestley was jailed for five and a half years over a deception in which 58 victims, mainly in Leeds and West Yorkshire, were ripped off by the callous conman.The court heard how the 40-year-old crook would take large payments for building work which were either never started or never completed.

Priestley caused 'untold misery' and destroyed lives by his crimes which were committed to fund his addiction to booze and cocaine.

Judge Ray Singh told Priestley his offending was so prolific it would have taken two days in court to outline the details of the suffering caused to all 58 victims.

Opening the case, prosecutor Fiona Clancy described the scale of suffering endured by ten victims.

They were:

Court 1

Priestley contacted a woman who wanted a quote for a new roof and replacement windows.

He claimed she needed a new roof due to 'nail fatigue'.

The victim paid a £2,600 deposit in October 16, 2019, but Priestley failed to carry out the work.

The woman contacted him to complain but he told her he had a "viral chest complaint".

He went to her home the following month and said the work on the roof could not be done as the timbers were rotten.

The victim paid a further £3,247 but then noticed that slates were going missing from the roof.

She filmed workmen loading the slates onto a van and driving off with them.

The victim complained to Priestley that her family had been put in danger as they had no roof during the winter but he 'played dumb'.

Ms Clancy said: "She realised that she had been ripped off. Water was streaming into her children's bedroom."

Count 2

In August 2019 a female victim agreed a price of £16,983 to have her roof retiled and paid a deposit of £3,000 plus £750 for an inspection.

The victim later discovered that the cost of an inspection was actually £74.

Priestley arranged for all the tiles to be stripped from the roof. He said he would sell them and give her the money but never did.

The victim was left with damp on her bedroom ceiling and windows were broken.

Priestley promised to the return to the house in June 2020 but failed to do so.

He said the damage to the property would be covered by insurance but it wasn't.

The victim had to take antidepressants due to the stress and no longer feels able to trust anyone.

The judge told Priestley: "The mere mention of your name frightens her."

Count 3

Priestley spoke to a couple who wanted a refurbishment of the downstairs rooms of their home.

He gave a fake customer reference and was paid a deposit of £4,000.

Priestley failed to show up for work the next day.