Luke Garry Faucett, trading as Faucetts House Haulage, pleaded guilty in Parramatta Local Court to unlicensed contracting as well as accepting payment and failing to supply goods and services, as promised.

Faucett admitted to unlicensed contracting of residential building work for three parties to the value of nearly $160,000, for which he accepted more than $87,000 in payments.

In sentencing, Faucett was fined $1,500, and ordered to serve 350 hours of community service.

Fair Trading commissioner Rose Webb said Faucett’s victims included a couple who had paid $25,000 for a family home for their block in Gunnedah.

“Despite identifying two houses and providing contracts for the purchase, removal, transportation and resettlements of them, they never materialised,” Ms Webb said.

“Faucett strung the couple along, identifying houses but never delivering them.

“He failed to perform the work in the contract, and he failed to refund any of the money paid to his business.”

Faucett’s other victims had similar experiences and paid hefty “start payments”, as specified in the contract.

“In reality, Faucett  did not hold a contractor licence to do any of this work,” Ms Webb said.

“I can assure the community that NSW Fair Trading will continue to pursue traders who don’t comply with Australian Consumer Law.”