A rogue builder has pleaded guilty to fraud following a successful prosecution by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards service.
Builder Patrick Noel Doherty (age 23 years of Salter Street in Earlswood, Solihull) who traded as Shakespeare Driveways & Patios Ltd lied to the couple about the state of their property and undertook work that was overpriced, of poor quality, and in some cases completely unnecessary.
At Warwick Crown Court on Wednesday 27 May 2026, Mr Doherty pleaded guilty to three offences under the Fraud Act 2006. He will be sentenced on Monday 29 June 2026.
Warwickshire County Councillor Robert Gisbourne, Cabinet Member for Fire and?Rescue, Community Safety and Flooding said:
“Warwickshire Trading Standards will continue to take action against rogue traders to protect and support residents across the county. This includes raising awareness of rogue…
These frauds exploit emotional vulnerability and trust rather than technical weaknesses.
- Romance Scams: Scammers build long-term online relationships with victims, eventually fabricating a “crisis” (medical emergency, legal trouble, or travel costs) that requires the victim to send money.
- Pig Butchering: A hybrid scam where the criminal builds a romantic or platonic relationship to eventually “tutor” the victim in a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment.