Two rogue tarmac contractors swept through Devon botching people s driveways with shoddy work, which caused more problems than it solved.

Two rogue tarmac contractors swept through Devon botching people's driveways with shoddy work, which caused more problems than it solved.

Exeter Crown Court heard 26-year-old Edward and 19-year-old James Fry operated two tarmacking firms, which advertised in Yellow Pages, produced flyers and used cold calling as part of their techniques.

Prosecutor David Sapiecha said those to fall victim to the brothers lived in Exmouth and Seaton, Dawlish and Torquay and claims for compensation amounted to over �7,000 for sub-standard work. He said a number of claims were made about the work carried out, but much of it was done in less than half a day and involved laying Tarmac on top of an old drive.

In one case, the victim was unable to open her garage door after the work had been completed and, when the contractors came back, they rectified that fault but left a ridge across the drive.

The court heard that Andrew Kenyon, from Seaton, described the "cavalier attitude" of the workmen and said, when he complained about the standard, no-one came back to rectify the situation.

He said the work was of poor standard, with the new Tarmac being laid on top of the old drive.

Mr Sapiecha said the Frys operated out of a caravan park at Waterloo Cross, Cullompton, but a false address in Exeter was given on the flyer produced to catch unsuspecting victims.

He told the court that, when it came to assets, Edward Fry owned a caravan park and his teenage brother had over �100,000 in a bank account.

The pair admitted a series of fraud, making false statements and possessing articles for fraud under trade descriptions legislation.

Edward Fry was given a 12 months prison sentence, suspended for two years with 300 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a total of just over �6,500 in compensation and costs.

James Fry was ordered to do 300 hours unpaid work with a community order of 12 months.

He was further ordered to pay just over �7,000 in compensation and costs.