Adelaide Fence Corp allegedly accepted thousands in deposits for building work that never began

A fencing business and two men from Adelaide’s eastern suburbs have faced court after allegedly accepting tens of thousands of dollars for work that was never started.

Two eastern-suburbs men and a fencing business have appeared in court for allegedly failing to complete work for clients across Adelaide after receiving tens of thousands of dollars.

Adelaide Fence Corp failed to carry out any of the work promised to five clients in the space of almost 12 months, documents filed by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs in Elizabeth Magistrates Court allege.

The commissioner alleges more than $20,000 in deposits was accepted from clients by Christopher Richard John O’Toole, 43, of Norwood, along with Adelaide Fence Corp, is facing several charges relating to being an unlicensed builder, failing to provide goods and services, and demanding unauthorised payment.

The second man, Richard Romano, 43, of Rostrevor, who was allegedly a subcontractor for the business, has been charged with three counts of being an unlicensed builder.

The charges relate to a series of quotes for fencing work at North Haven, Tea Tree Gully, Ovingham, Gould Creek and Modbury between May 30, 2021, and March 3, 2022.

Clients paid deposits of between $1363 and $8500 for demolition of old fences, construction of new ones, automated sliding gates, concrete footings and a retaining wall.

But the commissioner alleges work on the projects never began.

The client at Modbury, who paid a $8500 deposit for new retaining walls and a fence, believed work would start within the week, but it allegedly did not.

Adelaide Fence Corp allegedly demanded an unauthorised amount for the deposit at the Modbury address.

The commissioner is seeking compensation for the five affected clients as part of its prosecution.

The case was adjourned to a date in February 2024.