Builder Sentenced For Failing To Complete Work

A builder from Belfast has been sentenced to 100 hours community service for failing to complete work to a professional standard at Belfast's Laganside Magistrates' Court.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £2,000 in compensation.

The case was brought by the Trading Standards Service (TSS) of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. The builder, Mr Peter Hales (56), trading as 858 Building Services of Parklands, Belfast, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

The case was the result of an investigation by the TSS into complaints from two consumers who had engaged Mr Hales to build extensions to their properties in Belfast and Coagh, Co Tyrone. Mr Hales failed to carry out the building work to a professional standard.

The first complainant had plans drawn up and approved by Building Control which he provided to Mr Hales. Mr Hales replaced a block wall with a stud wall without checking the structural soundness of this with the structural engineer or building control. Mr Hales also failed to stick to the agreed work and payment schedule. Eventually, the complainant was left with no option but to pay another builder to rectify and finish Mr Hales’ work.

The second complainant paid Mr Hales £25,500 for building a two storey extension at his home. Mr Hales obtained large advances for the work, which he carried out to a poor standard and then he removed himself from the job entirely, leaving the home in such disarray to the point that the complainant and his family have been left with no option but to live in rented accommodation. An independent report estimated that only approximately £15,000 worth of work had been completed by Mr Hales suggesting that he had, therefore, received a sum of over £10,000 for work that was not carried out.

Alliance Urges Youths To Take Part In Cinemagic

Chris Lyttle MLA has called on young film enthusiasts to take part in a programme to help select movies for the Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival, which takes place in Belfast between 09 Octoberto the 04 November 4.

The participants will work with the Cinemagic team to watch and critique films from around the world, resulting in a number of choices that will then be screened.

Alliance MLA Mr Lyttle said it was a great opportunity for young people interested in film to pursue their dreams.

"This is a fantastic chance for participants to take a leading role in deciding what films are shown at the festival and steer the overall direction of the festival. It is also an opportunity to meet other likeminded young people and have a lot of fun along the way.

"Cinemagic is a well-known and vastly respected festival, known for inspiring young people to contribute in many ways. If there are any budding film critics out there, I would encourage them to take part."

£85,000 Resurfacing Project In Ballynahinch To Begin

Work on an £85,000 resurfacing scheme in Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland is to begin on Monday 17 August.

The project, on the A24 High Street, will involve the resurfacing of a 240 metre stretch of High Street from and including the Dromore Street roundabout to Main Street/Lisburn Street junction.

To facilitate the resurfacing works and minimise disruption the street will be closed from 8pm to 6am during tMonday 17 August to Friday 27 August 2015.

The works will be carried out in three stages:

• Windmill Street to Church Street

• Windmill Street to Main Street

• Lisburn Street to Main Street eastbound

During the works traffic will be diverted via A49 and B177 Lisburn Road, U0030 Riverside Road, B7 Dromore Road and Dromore Street, U0167 Grove Road, B175 Spa Road, A24 Church Road and Church Street.

(CD/MH)