An alleged rogue trader appeared in court on Monday over the activities of an organised crime gang who have terrorised victims into handing over huge sums of money for unnecessary work to property.
Luke Connors (31) from Forkhill Road, Armagh is charged with assaulting and harassing the male and female victims, obtaining £10,000 from them dishonestly, engaging in aggressive commercial practice, fraud, criminal damage and possessing articles for use in fraud.
Offending is alleged to have occurred between August 3 and 22.
A detective inspector in charge of the case confirmed at Newry Magistrates Court that all charges could be connected.
He explained the arrest came as a part of an ongoing investigation into cold-calling rogue traders.
Earlier this month, the court heard, the injured party described Connors arriving at his home for five consecutive days during which he was “persistent and intimidating” in wanting to carry out painting work.
The injured party didn’t want the work and asked Connors to leave but was later “forced” into agreeing to having a shed painted for £1,900.
Further painting was done which was carried out by foreign nationals employed by Connors which police believe he “exploits, akin to human slavery. They don’t get fed and are paid very little”.
Having worked beyond what was agreed, Connors demanded £11,000 from the victim who, under pressure, agreed to £10,000.
The money was paid into a “rogue account” which the National Crime Agency has traced, the court heard.
This payment left the victim penniless, placing him and his family in serious difficulties.
The inspector said: “The victim rang me on August 22, crying and distressed as Connors had approached him again. This vehicle was subsequently stopped in Armagh and he was arrested. £3500 in cash was found in his vehicle.”
During interview Connors made a “limited admission” to being at the victim’s property each day but denied involvement in criminality and thereafter made no comment replies.
“He showed no remorse whatsoever,” said the inspector. “Within one hour of arrest a male named Andrew Connors contacted the victim, screaming and shouting at him for involving police. I then rang that number and Andrew Connors abused me, saying he would ‘sort me out’. He has since been arrested for intimidation.”
The officer added: “On a wider scale, these organised crime gangs operating on the Border. From April to August there has been a massive increase in rogue-trader cold-callers.
“These defendants do not have criminal records for this offending as victims are too afraid. This defendant is on the radar North and South. They are ripping people off. The impact on victims is appalling. Every political party has lobbied police on this and a Task Force is being set up.”
Objecting to bail he cited risk of reoffending, witness interference and absconding, telling the court, “during a telephone call from custody to his wife there was discussion of bringing money to court and arranging flights to get him out of the jurisdiction”.
It was also noted associates of Connors arrived at the PSNI station where he was being held within half-an-hour of his arrest, in top-of-the range cars with £10,000, and extra police had to be deployed in case of disorder.
There was additional police presence at court, said the inspector, adding: “Given who the defendant is and the connections he has. He is a threat to the public. I personally felt threatened by Andrew Connors.”
A defence barrister argued bail could be granted given the lack of relevant record and the availability of a cash surety.
Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter ruled notwithstanding the lack of record, bail was refused as there was a clear risk of flight.
Connors will appear again by video-link Armagh Magistrates Court on September 15.