a builder of wooden houses from Cotentin taken to court

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The Coutances court examined Wednesday November 6, 2024 the complaints of fifteen victims of two companies, which were subject to judicial liquidation, whose sole shareholder was Pascal Hermann.

The company Tradi Bois Cotentin was well established in the center of Coutances. It offered wooden constructions. It went into liquidation in March 2017. In September 2016, Pascal Hermann created another company, SARL HPMC in Montmartin-sur-Merwhose purpose was to build houses with shipping containers. A company which was liquidated in April 2019. It is therefore the manager who is being prosecuted.

Projects never finished

The complaints target the same behaviors: signed contracts specifying the cost and time of construction, sums of money requested to purchase materials before price increases, construction sites never completed or for some not even started, and no more contact.

A family from Tourville-sur-Sienne had signed for a construction in containers which was to be delivered within 4 months. They had put their house up for sale, they had to rent a gîte then buy a mobile home, because they managed to complete the work themselves two years late. All experienced problems with the administration because building permits had lapsed.

Another couple who were victims of a container house in Couville alerted the media and only managed to complete their house thanks to the solidarity of relatives and local craftsmen.

But where did the money go?

The amount of damages suffered by the fifteen victims amounts to 800 000 euros. During the investigation, 2,000 euros were seized from Pascal Herman's bank accounts. A victim's lawyer said he was “exasperated” by the lack of enrichment argument.

Of course, Pascal Hermann did not give many explanations, he admitted having used this money to finance work in his partner's house. He signed contracts even though the commercial court had prohibited him from managing a business, and had not taken out professional insurance covering defects. The court was unable to ask him any questions because he did not appear at the hearing.

This absence is deplored by the representative of the prosecution, who considers that Hermann signed contracts knowing that he would not respect them, and that he exerted pressure on the victims to obtain funds. A sentence of 3 years in prison, including 1 year, is required.

The defendant's lawyer explains that his client suffered popular vindictiveness which forced him to leave the region to settle in Bouches-du-Rhône, that he was not responsible for the poor work of the subcontractors , that we do not talk about the numerous projects carried out without problem, and, since he has already been sentenced by the commercial court, pleads for release.

The judgment will be delivered on December 4.

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