Builder Sean Joseph Nelson, 47, fined for working unlicensed and ripping off customers

A trail of unfinished and dodgy fencing and concreting work has caught up with a con tradesman in court after he left customers thousands out of pocket.

An unlicensed builder who continued working illegally after promising not to left a trail of unfinished jobs and dodgy work throughout the northern suburbs.

Sean Joseph Nelson was punished in the Elizabeth Magistrate Court after the state’s consumer watchdog, Consumer and Business Services, took action prosecuting the 47-year-old for breaches of the Fair Trading Act and the Building Work Contractors Act

The court was told Nelson, of Paskeville accepted payment to carry out works in properties around Blair Athol and Northfield at various times in 2019 and 2020.

At the time he did not hold a building work contractor licence.

An unlicensed builder has been fined in the Elizabeth Magistrate Court. Picture: File

In one instance, he was paid a total of $15,030 for stormwater, fencing and concreting work – failing to complete most of the work, and doing a substandard job of the remaining work.

“What’s especially galling here is that Nelson was aware he was acting illegally,” commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio said.

“He had previously been warned that soliciting work while unlicensed was a breach, and narrowly avoided earlier charges by entering into a written assurance, agreeing not to carry out work while unlicensed.

“It’s incredibly disappointing behaviour that has the potential to undermine the public’s confidence in those licensed builders who abide by the rules and do quality work.”

Nelson was fined $10,000 and ordered to repay a total of $15,010 compensation to three customers for work they paid for but did not receive.