A 'rogue trader' whose firm ripped out asbestos from a garage in Stockport before dumping it in the street has been jailed after it was discovered they never had a licence to do such work and had falsified documents.
Asbestos Boss Ltd were brought in by a resident to remove the asbestos insulating board from the internal garage at their property in September 2021. However, the material was then dumped at the property from where it had been taken, 'littering' the road and pavement with asbestos.
An investigation was launched which established the firm, run by manager/director Daniel Luke Cockcroft, had never held a licence to remove asbestos - despite advertising that they did.
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The probe by Stockport Council Trading Standards and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a number of similar cases across the country involving the firm, where 'little to no precautions' had been taken.
These included the removal of asbestos insulating board from 20 riser cupboards for which Asbestos Boss charged £3,000 for their illegal work. The work was of such poor quality, prosecutors said the site owners were quoted up to £64,000 to put it right.
Council chiefs said 'their poor working practices resulted in the large scale spread of asbestos and exposure to homeowners and their families' and that by doing such work himself Cockcroft had 'chanced his own life.'
It was also discovered during the investigation that the firm had falsified asbestos training certificates and insurance documents. and that they, and Cockcroft, had breached a prohibition notice on several occasions.
Stockport Trading Standards brought charges of fraud by false representation against the company and directors in relation to the falsifying of documents with the intent to deceive, as well as unauthorised use of trade and accreditation logos.
The HSE brought action against the company and directors for removing asbestos without a licence, failure to prevent spread of asbestos and breach of the prohibition notice at two properties.
Cockcroft of Darnes Avenue, Pyenest, Halifax, pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to ten months in prison by a judge at Manchester Magistrates Court.
The company were not represented in court but were convicted of all charges against them after a trial in their absence. They will be sentenced at a seperate hearing.
Judge Bernard Begley said Cockcroft’s actions to be ‘rogue trading at its worst’ and said the serious potential health implications from the exposures caused by Cockcroft were an aggravating factor.
Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Our Trading Standards team work closely with other agencies and will do our utmost to ensure offenders like this, who carry out work with no regard for the safety of our residents, are brought to justice.
"I am delighted that these criminals have been held to account. The message is very clear – we will not tolerate this in Stockport and will take robust action wherever possible.”
HSE Inspector Matt Greenly said: “Asbestos is a killer. Companies and their directors need to recognise the dangers of removing asbestos by themselves both to their employees and others.
"Asbestos removal should only be carried out by trained personnel who understand the risks and how to control them. Asbestos Boss Limited have deliberately removed a highly dangerous material resulting in a significant risk of exposure to cancer-causing asbestos.
"They not only have put their customers at risk but have also undoubtedly put themselves, their workers, and their families at serious risk.
"By undertaking asbestos removal work himself, Mr Cockcroft has also chanced his own life, and the life of his family by working unsafely with asbestos, despite knowing full well what the risks were.
"This case should serve as a warning to any other companies who think they can make a quick profit by cutting corners and risking lives. I also hope that potential customers will be able to avoid rogue companies like Asbestos Boss by carrying out simple checks to ensure that any company they employ is legitimate and competent to prevent them and their families being put at serious risk."
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