A rogue trader has been sentenced after falsifying asbestos test reports to trick homeowners into paying for expensive and unnecessary removal work.
The case came to light after Trading Standards officers discovered the results of accredited laboratory tests had been altered before being shown to customers.
The investigation has raised concerns about how easily asbestos reports can be manipulated before reaching homeowners, leaving them thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Article continues belowWhat the investigation found
The case involved Andrew Curtis York, who traded as ACFL Asbestos Ltd and carried out asbestos testing and removal work for domestic customers.
The investigation was led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Trading Standards team after concerns were raised about inconsistencies in asbestos reports being provided to homeowners.
Officers discovered that samples sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory showed no asbestos present, but the paperwork given to customers had been changed to indicate the opposite. This meant homeowners were being told their properties were dangerous and required urgent removal work when that was not the case.
Council investigators said York used these altered reports to justify charging for unnecessary work, including one case where a customer was quoted an additional £9,500 for removal that was not needed because no asbestos had been detected.
What the court heard and the fraud revealed
Teesside Crown Court heard that between December 2023 and February 2024, York misled three customers into paying a total of £14,235 for asbestos removal that was not required. The court found he had manipulated official laboratory results to support the false claims.
According to Stockton Council, York altered test certificates from a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) certified lab “to indicate to his customers that there was asbestos present when the reports had stated there was none.”
The council said the victims also faced additional costs for building work such as boarding and plastering, which would not have been necessary if the correct results had been provided.
York pleaded guilty to four fraud charges and received a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to repay the money taken from customers, along with court costs.
Sentencing, council warning, and wider concerns
Speaking after sentencing, Stockton councillor Norma Stephenson described the conduct as “beyond belief,” saying the trader had deliberately altered legitimate test results to “line his own pockets.”
She added that Trading Standards officers had acted quickly to identify victims and prevent further harm, stating that the investigation ensured York was “brought to account.”
The council also issued a wider warning to homeowners, urging people to get multiple quotes and avoid paying large sums upfront for home improvement or removal work.
Officials said the case highlights how important it is for asbestos testing to remain independent and properly verified, as falsified reports can lead to unnecessary fear, disruption, and financial loss.
