Sentencing for Ipswich firm and salesman adjourned

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday was 45-year-old Justin Brason, of Brambling Close, Stowmarket, who was a salesman for Riba Surveyors Ltd, later known as Riva Surveyors Ltd, which was an Ipswich-based company selling spray foam loft installation.

At an earlier hearing, Brason admitted eight offences of engaging in a commercial practice which was misleading.

The company has admitted 21 similar offences which date back to 2019.

At the earlier hearing the court heard that despite its name, the company did not appear to have any qualified surveyors.

 The ‘surveyors’ would cold-call people on their doorsteps, with customers often told they could have a free assessment of their roof spaces.

These assessments would often find “non-existent” issues for which customers were quoted thousands of pounds in repairs, which were supposedly discounted by government grant schemes, the court was told.

One 90-year-old man was quoted more than £8,000 for damage caused by dry rot - an offer he declined. 

An expert later found the roof was in good working order, and the proposed works would offer “no benefits”.

The man’s daughter said her parents “never recovered” from the stress and anxiety the situation caused.

Another customer told of her dismay when she realised she had been "played", with men arriving at her home the day after she had been visited, but refusing to clarify exactly what work they were undertaking.

The woman said she felt "stupid" and felt unable to tell her son what had happened. She described the company as "getting rich off people's vulnerability".

Brason was described as a man who was previously a “pillar of his community” who would assist his neighbours whenever they were in need.

The sentencing hearing was adjourned until December 9.