ONE of David Merriman and Trevor Bateman’s victims said she could have done a better job herself and now hopes the pair will reflect on their conduct.

Crystal Hewlett, who has epilepsy and is a full-time carer for her sister, was convinced by the pair to install a ‘wet room’ in her Cowley home after initially asking them to replace a leaking shower tray.

She said the work was so shoddy that water leaked from the bathroom into the kitchen below, forcing her to shell out £12,000 for a replacement she is still paying for.

Mrs Hewlett, who is in her 70s, told the trial: “It really would have been quite simple to put a new shower tray in, but Mr Bateman said ‘why not have a wet-room floor’, it would be better, so he thought.

“I was swayed, I suppose, by a person with a glib tongue for getting something that really wasn’t necessary.”

She added: “I could have done it better myself, would have been able to and should have done.”

After hearing the verdicts last night, she said: “I’m glad it’s turned out this way. At long last these people can really begin to realise they can’t go round cheating people, whether they’re old or young.

“They should never, ever, be allowed to have another business.

“I’m glad they’re likely to get time inside, it might make them mull over the way they have conducted their lives.”