Ringwood Court: Launching Place shed builder Todd Richardson’s $18K deposit scam

A dodgy Launching Place shed builder told bogus sob stories to victims after pocketing their deposits and bunking off the job.

Todd Richardson was sentenced on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

A shifty Launching Place shed builder has scammed the deposits of nearly a dozen eastern suburbs residents during a three-year con.

Todd Richardson appeared before the Ringwood Magistrates Court on Tuesday, pleading guilty to obtaining financial advantage by deception charges.

Richardson operated a shed construction company called Shed and Storage Solutions from 2020 to 2023.

Richardson appeared before the Ringwood Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied.

He would take the deposits of prospective clients — often totalling more than $1000 — but not turn up on the day he was supposed to start construction.

Richardson would then ignore clients calls and texts, or make up sob stories as to why he could not complete the work.

On one occasion he claimed he was recovering from a surgery and told the customer they would receive a refund.

The refund never came.

Another time, he claimed he was unwell and pretended to be his wife texting back.

Richardson reeled in $18,107.50 from 11 victims during the con.

Magistrate Hayley Bate said this type of scam could be “devastating” for victims.

“This could be a huge amount for families,” she said.

Richardson was ordered to pay compensation to his victims and was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order which included community work and drug treatment.

The court was told Richardson “regretted and showed remorse” for his actions.

He was still operating a shed construction business under a new name, SteelPro Sheds, in August of 2024.