An "angry" pensioner has been left out of pocket by a Clydebank joiner who has not completed the work, with police looking into it as a case of potential fraud.
Peter Charnley, aged 72, enlisted Hendry Installations Ltd, to fit wardrobes in his property back in February.
Peter, from Dumbarton, was informed that a 50% deposit was required before the work could be carried out, amassing £1,400.
Speaking to the Clydebank Post, he said: "I wanted to give the job to someone local.
“My wife had been wanting built-in wardrobes for a long time.
“I promised her when there was enough money put aside, we would have them installed.”
Peter explained that he had been putting away money from his pension for a number of years to afford the installation.
James Richard Hendry, who owns the company Hendry Installations Ltd, was supposed to carry out the job on April 15, but he never came back.
Peter requested the deposit be returned on April 22, and James assured him it would be, however Peter is still out of pocket more than three months later and described James as a "scammer".
The issue has been filed through the small claims court at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, with the decision falling in Peter’s favour and ordering James to return the deposit.
James, from Clydebank, had 28 days to appeal the notice. The Clydebank Post has verified that James did receive the court letter, yet he did not appeal, with the timeframe to do so lapsing on July 24.
Speaking on this, Peter said: “It makes me feel very angry.
“Although I’ve won the court case, I still feel like you can’t pin these people down.”
Peter had to go to another joiner to get the wardrobes fitted.
The Clydebank Post spoke to James Hendry, who confirmed all the points Peter had raised were correct.
He also confirmed that several other clients have had similar issues to Peter, with some of them also taking him to court after they have not had their deposits back.
He said: “I've had quite a few difficulties over the past few months since this issue started.
“My intentions have always been to give people the full deposit back.
“I’ve just not found myself in a position to do so yet.”
James explained that he currently does not have the money to return and will have to do so in instalments, although he has no time frame as to when this will happen.
He added: “There's been no intention to walk away from this and not pay people back.
“Myself personally, I’ve had sleepless nights just worrying about it all.”
“A lot of things happened over the past couple of years, both personally and through the business, it all escalated very quickly and culminated.
“I can only apologise to the people that have been affected by it."
James has been a joiner since he left school and he set up his own company Hendry Installations Ltd in 2020.
The company has faced two threats of being dissolved.
On April 29, 2025, James was issued his First Gazette notice for compulsory strike-off, which states the company will be dissolved and ‘rights vested in, or held in trust for the company’ will belong to the Crown.
This strike off was suspended after an objection was lodged, and another compulsory strike-off was issued to dissolve the company on June 2, 2026, and suspended again due to an objection on the same day.
James claims he does not know who is objecting.
In December 2025 he set up a new company called Hendry Installations Glasgow Ltd.
His previous accountants, Route One Accounting said: “Hendry Installations LTD was a client of ours, but we terminated acting for them about nine months ago due to not receiving any paperwork or communication.”
On Trustpilot, other people have been financially affected by Hendry Installations, which currently has a 2.1 star rating.
One reviewer said: “I agreed to a quote and paid 50% of the total cost upfront.
“After repeatedly chasing for an installation date, I was finally given November 4.
“A few days before, I emailed to confirm the installation time, only to be told the booking was cancelled.
“Since then, I have contacted him multiple times for an update, but I have received no response, and the wardrobes have still not been installed.
Another reviewer added: “I can only echo the other reviews - do not hire!
“James was paid a deposit for bedroom furniture in August 2025. He promised to start in September, but it was December before he did a day’s work to fit the carcass.
“He was to return to fit doors but never has - lots of broken promises, excuses etc.
“Like a lot of people, we are now having to hire another joiner - we will probably be out of pocket and have to go down the small claims court route.
“He seems to be refusing to return any money, according to other reviews - essentially this is unethical and criminal behaviour.
“I desperately do not want anyone else to fall foul of this man.”
The issue has been reported to the police by Peter.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed this. They said: “On Saturday, May 23, 2026, officers received a report of a possible fraud in the Dumbarton area.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
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