Builder turns bully in South Cambridgeshire threat saga
Poor work sparks fiery dispute
Simon Barrington, 35, was hired by a property developer to work on two newbuild homes in Little Eversden, South Cambridgeshire. He started on 12 September last year, but right away his workmanship came under fire. The developer called his work shoddy, and fellow workers on site branded him erratic and lazy.
Money demands escalate into threats
Barrington claimed the developer owed him £4,000. The developer quickly dropped him, saying his services were no longer needed. Barrington then upped his demands, claiming £11,000 for materials and labour. Things took a dark turn as Barrington warned he knew where the developer lived and threatened “forty thousand pounds-worth of damages” if unpaid.
His messages turned aggressive. He threatened to “smash houses up” and said he would come back to collect his paint from the site.
Confrontation turns menacing on site
On 26 September, Barrington showed up at the site and confronted a labourer. He demanded the paint and threatened to burn buildings down and “mash up” the developer. When the labourer called the owner, Barrington tried to snatch the phone and warned he’d “bring the boys” next time.
To prevent further harm, the developer ordered the labourer to hand over the paint.
Vandalism and a chilling return
A few days later, the labourer spotted “pay me” carved into the site fencing. In early October, Barrington returned with another man, making more threats.
Police moved in and arrested Barrington at his home on Ermine Street, Caxton, on 13 October.
