A BUILDER from Stanford-le-Hope has narrowly escaped a prison sentence after being ordered to pay £85,000 to a couple for damage caused to their home.

Rob and Lucy Davies experienced significant distress after their Langdon Hills residence was left at risk of collapse following construction work initiated by Steve Figg, 35, in October 2023.

The couple told Chelmsford Magistrates' Court that they had paid Figg £44,000 to carry out the work.

Mrs Davies, 38, described their world as filled with complete horror, despair, and chaos as their dream project crumbled.

Figg, of Milton Road, Stanford, pleaded guilty to 22 breaches of building regulations. He received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. District Judge Christopher Williams condemned the work as unsafe, poorly executed, and repeatedly non-compliant with building regulations.

The Davies had contracted Figg, through his company Figg Construction, to build a rear extension featuring a kitchen and an open-plan living area. However, the project was left in disarray, with no kitchen, running water, or back doors, allowing rats to nest in the property and causing terror to their three children.

To compound their distress, Mr and Mrs. Davies found themselves in police custody for 22 hours after Figg alleged harassment over the construction debacle.

The construction work was halted by Basildon Council's building control team two months after it began, and the couple had to spend £28,000 to secure their property.

Figg told the court: "I'm not a liar; I'm not a conman. I made mistakes and I am sorry."

In addition to the financial penalty, Figg was ordered to wear an electronically monitored tag for six months.