A BOLTON builder has slammed British justice after he was handed a £1,500 bill to cover the legal costs of a sub-contractor he had tried to sue.

Eight years ago Dave Callaghan's firm, DC Builders, renovated a terraced house in Halliwell and he took on a sub-contractor to plaster the interior.

But three years later he was contacted by the owner after plaster started falling from the walls, and the 43-year-old builder found that the walls had not been properly prepared.

Through his solicitor, he tried to take the plasterer to Bolton County Court, but he discovered that the plasterer had been granted legal aid after proving hardship.

Mr Callaghan's solicitor advised him that even if he won the case and was awarded compensation, he probably wouldn't get it because of the defendant's inability to pay.

So Mr Callaghan, of Firs Road, Bolton, decided to drop the case and arranged to put the faulty work right at his own expense.

But he has been left fuming this week after being sent a £1,546 bill to cover the defendant's legal costs.

"I just can't believe it. I pay around £150,000 in taxes a year so, in effect I have already paid the legal fees," he said.

He estimates that the new bill, along with the cost of repairing the house and his own solicitor's bill make a total cost of around £3,000.

"I am losing out left, right and centre. If this is justice then come the revolution," he said.

He says he has been given 14 days to pay the £1,500 but will refuse to hand over the cash.

Instead he has contacted his MP Tom Sackville to protest and plans to write to the Lord Chancellor.

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