Possible criminal damage by builders ?

[jackreacher]

Lots going on so I'm going to split my problems into single questions over a week or so.

First is ; There was a mystery fire that caused damage to my sheds and stables on a property I jointly own with my ex.

My ex employed a contractor to deal with the clean up and rebuild.

He claimed the environment agency told him to dig up a large part of the tarmac driveway and later claimed the EA had told him to cut down about 40 large trees which he did.  My ex confirmed this was true and later her solicitor confirmed this was the case but provided no proof. 

 

The Environment Agency said they had not told anyone to do anything and wouldn't have got involved and there was no contact with anyone at the address or the names I gave.

 

He has been paid for the work.

 

In my opinion he has committed criminal damage as he;

dug the driveway up under false pretences and has not relayed the tarmac.

Cut down and destroyed 40 trees under false pretences.

 

Is this the case? What are my options? I'd really like to get the police involved.

 

I had a solicitor who wrote to my ex's solicitor for the proof of what the environment agency order , nothing as been supplied. 

My solicitor also asked for the insurance proposal and claim but nothing supplied. 

 

In fact I have now suspended my solicitor as there was no reply to the last 3 letters costing me a lot of money. 

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I'm also looking for a direct access barrister  if anyone can help. 

 

 

Edit Post

 

 

[honeybee13]

Hi.

 

In case this is relevant, were any of the trees subject to protection orders?

 

Direct access barristers seem to be accessible through this link but are you sure it's a barrister and not a solicitor you need?

 

Direct Access Portal

WWW.BARCOUNCIL.ORG.UK

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Search for a barrister to instruct directly on the publicly accessible online hub

 

HB

 

 

[jackreacher]

Hi, no preservation orders they were just 40 year old mixed trees. 

 

They couldnt do anything to the land or property without my approval as  I'm joint owner. 

 

He used  used the Environment Agency ' telling him as away to gain more work. 

I obviously saw through this nonsense and the Environment Agency are happy to make a statement to the court . 

[honeybee13]

So your plan is to take this to court or are you already doing that? I'm just wondering which forum to move you to.

 

HB

[jackreacher]

yes take it to court, I can't get anywhere at all no reply from her solicitor etc. 

 

thnx