A FAMILY is devastated after they say a trader who was due to carry out works to help a disabled girl ran off with £4,000.

An aunt is now rallying round for her family by starting a fundraiser so the work can be completed.

Courtney Jarman, 26, is hoping to raise £4,000 after her sister, Lizzie Ruiz-Perez, 41, paid a builder upfront to complete garden renovations.

The renovations were for Mrs Ruiz-Perez’ 15-year-old daughter, Isabella, who suffers from cerebral palsy. It would have included patio changes and access to the modified back door with a ramp.

Mum Lizzie Ruiz-Perez, with daughters Isabella and Maria (Image: Courtney Jarman)

Mrs Ruiz-Perez, who lives near Blandford, said: “Isabella uses a wheelchair to get around, and two and a half years ago I moved us into a bungalow, and carried out renovations to make it more accessible."

She then planned to have work carried out in the garden and added: “We put out an advert online and the builder came out, had a look at extending the path, level the whole back garden. He quoted us a price, which I said I would think about, but he came back to us and said he spoke to his partner about the work.

Mum Lizzie Ruiz-Perez with daughter, Isabella (Image: Courtney Jarman) “He said that my story struck a chord with us and offered a discount. He was so kind about it and seemed like a really nice person. Around seven to eight days later I paid him £4,000 for the supplies."

According to Mrs Ruiz-Perez, the work was supposed to start the following week, to tie in with the final renovations to the inside of the bungalow.

Work failed to start last June as planned and attempts to contact the builder and get him to do the work were unsuccessful.

Mrs Ruiz-Perez then informed the police last November.

She said: “Weeks and weeks went by, the phone kept ringing off. It was like he disappeared.”

Mrs Ruiz-Perez eventually managed to contact the builder who said he would be willing to pay the money back in £200 instalments. But she said this never happened.

She said: “I was so embarrassed really. It’s been awful for my daughter. She has gone through her whole life struggling and constantly faces accessibility issues all the time and the bungalow was brought to give her independence.”

Courtney Jarman with Isabella Ruiz-Perez, her niece (Image: Courtney Jarman) Miss Jarman has now launched a fundraiser to see the works carried out, which has raised £535 so far.

She said: “I launched the fundraiser as I couldn’t just sit by and watch my niece have no ramp or patio access.

“Once funds are raised, we will hire a reputable landscaper to carry out the works. Thanks so much to those who have donated already. ”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police, said: "This matter relates to a report received on 30 October 2023 in relation to a failure to repay money for building work that was not carried out. Officers have carried out a full review of the circumstances and the person reporting was advised that this is a civil dispute."

A spokesperson for Dorset Council, said: "Dorset Council’s Trading Standards team has some limited historical intelligence about this business, but do not appear to have received any new consumer complaints in several years.

"In terms of advice to homeowners, Trading Standards South West have produced a really good consumer guide which we find very comprehensive.

"You can find it at https://www.tssw.org.uk/work-areas/building-fraud/."

To donate to the GoFundMe, visit https://shorturl.at/knqbl