Kent Trading Standards prosecute doorstep criminals in major fraud case

Kent Police also provided significant support as the invstigation progressed, working with Trading Standards to execute four simultaneous entry warrants and make arrests across multiple locations.

At Maidstone Crown Court on 2 June 2026, Swayley Smith,  41, from Brightlingsea Road, Sandwich, 49-year-old Aaron Beaney, of  Oak Tree Farm, Ewell Minnis, and 63-year-old Andrew Edwards, of Burch Avenue, Sandwich, pleaded guilty to large-scale fraud carried out through three businesses: AEB Roofing Services Limited, Creed Roofing Ltd and Safe Guard Roofing Services Limited.

The prosecution case established that, between February 2021 and November 2023, the defendants targeted householders across numerous locations, using dishonest business practices to secure work and extract substantial sums of money.

Kent Trading Standards identified at least 16 complainants across 12 properties, some of whom were elderly or vulnerable. Victims were initially quoted for relatively minor works, only for the scope and cost to escalate significantly once work had begun.

The investigation found a consistent pattern of offending, including:

• Use of misleading company details and aliases to obscure responsibility
• Fake reviews to build false credibility
• Pressure tactics, including demands for large upfront payments
• Carrying out unnecessary or overpriced work
• Failing to complete works and often leaving work in a dangerous or unsatisfactory condition
• Providing guarantees that were ultimately worthless when companies were dissolved

Expert evidence confirmed that, in many cases, the standard of work fell far below what would be expected, leaving victims facing significant additional costs to rectify defective or incomplete building works. In some cases work was so poor it could not be rectified and needed to be completely re-started, leaving victims paying twice.

The court heard that the companies were effectively controlled as part of a wider fraudulent enterprise, giving the appearance of separate businesses while operating in a coordinated manner. This structure enabled the defendants to secure work through multiple avenues and maintain the appearance of legitimacy.

Financial analysis of the case shows that victims collectively paid hundreds of thousands of pounds for work that was often unnecessary, incomplete or substandard. In some cases, the value of properly completed work was only a small fraction of the amounts charged.  

Carrying out sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday (29 September 2026), HHJ Lazarus said:  “These are dreadful crimes that contributed to the misery of homeowners…..making it more challenging to find tradesmen due to lack of trust”.

• Smith was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months imprisonment and banned from being a director for 8 years
• Beaney was sentenced to 20 months suspended for 2 years, 15 days, rehabilitation, electronic curfew for 5 months and banned from being a director for 5 years
• Edwards was sentenced to 16 months suspended for 2 years, 12 days rehabilitation, 100 hours unpaid work and director disqualification for 4 years.

Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings will now be pursued.

KCC’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services, Richard Palmer, said: “This case highlights the serious harm caused by doorstep criminals who target residents and exploit trust and vulnerability for financial gain.

"I commend the work of Kent Trading Standards and Kent Police in bringing this complex investigation before the courts - particularly their coordinated enforcement action involving multiple warrants and arrests.

“We will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to this type of offending and remain committed to protecting Kent residents from fraud, ensuring that good, honest businesses are not tared by such rogue traders and poor trading practices.”

Steve Rock, Head of KCC Trading Standards, said: “This was a calculated and sustained fraud.  These doorstep criminals used deception and intimidation to exploit victims and profit from substandard and often unnecessary building work.

"This case demonstrates our commitment to pursuing complex investigations and getting justice for victims. We would urge residents to be cautious when agreeing to work and to always carry out proper checks before committing to any home improvement.”

Det Insp Ian Sanderson, of Kent Police’s Serious Economic Crime Unit, said: "We were pleased to support colleagues from Kent Trading Standards in this enforcement against a gang of organised fraudsters. These men targeted elderly and vulnerable victims to steal large amounts of cash they could not afford to lose. Our officers will continue to work closely with partners to track down these criminals and bring them to justice."