By Legal Futures Associate CEL Solicitors [1]
Victims of fraud who feel abandoned by the system are getting justice, thanks to a collaboration between CEL Solicitors [2], specialists in fraud recovery and scam compensation, and Watson Woodhouse [3], leading experts in private criminal prosecutions.
CEL Solicitors, who specialise in helping fraud victims from a civil law perspective sought out a firm to assist with private prosecutions [4].
Together, they are now holding fraudsters to account securing a successful conviction this week.
Victim left with no kitchen after builder scam
One of many private criminal prosecutions, which the police declined to pursue, involved a 71-year-old woman who was conned by James Bell, a builder from Darlington. She paid Bell £10,000 for a new kitchen, only for him to disappear after demolishing the old one. Forced to pay a further £11,000 to another contractor, she was left financially devastated.
Despite contacting both the police and Action Fraud, her case went nowhere. Frustrated and desperate, she turned to CEL Solicitors, who specialise in helping fraud victims recover their losses. After investigating, CEL Solicitors identified Bell as the culprit and, recognising the strength of the evidence, recommended pursuing a private criminal prosecution through their legal partners, Watson Woodhouse.
Private prosecution brings conviction and five-year jail sentence
Watson Woodhouse launched the private prosecution after official channels had failed to act. Bell spent over a year evading justice before being arrested. It later emerged that Trading Standards were also prosecuting him for a series of similar offences. He eventually pleaded guilty to multiple counts of fraud, covering both the private prosecution and the Trading Standards cases, as well as a Bail Act offence.
In total, Bell defrauded customers out of £130,913 across Newcastle, Morpeth, Stocksfield, Durham, Berwick, Darlington, Middlesbrough, and North Yorkshire. Many victims were elderly or vulnerable, and the real cost was far higher once unfinished or botched work was taken into account. Judge Bindloss, in sentencing, described the appalling impact on the pensioner who felt she had no choice but to launch a private prosecution:
“She had to live in a tent for three months and developed bronchitis. Her savings have gone, she’s living on her pension and she’s thinking of taking on a job. She went to the police but they didn’t take on her complaint. She considered going to the county court but there were 11 judgments against you, so she decided to take out this private prosecution against you. Her victim personal statement makes for moving reading.”
Bell, who had previous convictions for similar offenses, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
A partnership giving victims hope
Paul Hampson, CEO at CEL Solicitors, said: “Far too often, fraud victims feel abandoned when the police or Action Fraud can’t take their cases further. Through our collaboration with Watson Woodhouse, we’re empowering victims to take back control and see real justice delivered.”
James Pritchard, Head of Private Prosecution at Watson Woodhouse, added: “This case shows that private prosecutions can deliver accountability where others have failed. Working with CEL Solicitors, we’ve been able to hold a serial fraudster to account and give victims the justice they deserve.”
Championing justice for fraud victims
The case demonstrates that private criminal prosecutions can play a crucial role in closing the justice gap for scam victims — particularly as fraud cases now make up more than 40% of all crimes reported in the UK, yet only a small percentage lead to charges.
CEL Solicitors and Watson Woodhouse aim to expand this initiative nationwide, helping more victims take decisive legal action against fraudsters, rogue traders, and scammers.