A MAN with Chepstow connections was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on November 24, of conspiring to defraud victims across London and the home counties.

During the seven week trial, the court heard how Brian Tutton , along with two other men, were involved in a property improvement scam posing as a building company - Contemporary Home Improvements Limited - to receive deposits for high-class building improvement works.The deception convinced homeowners that the business was legitimate through a range of lies and falsehoods, including: Using a kitchen extension built by someone else as a false show home to lure in payments:Fake reviews on their website from those involved in the fraud: False photographs of work apparently carried out by the company: Visiting homes and pretending to be a qualified architect, including carrying a business card bearing the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) affix. A fourth individual pleaded guilty to one count of fraud earlier in the proceedings. They will be sentenced on February 4.