A dad has won more than £5,000 from a builder who botched an extension for his disabled son.

Lawrence Pickering has spent the past three years suing Ashley Deacon, of building contractor J A McConville, over a catalogue of faults he left at his home in Romsey Gardens, Holme Wood.

Yesterday at Leeds County Court, Judge Simon Hawkesworth QC ruled in favour of Mr Pickering and ordered now-retired builder Mr Deacon to pay £5,585.69 damages plus costs.

The extension, which cost £22,000, was paid for through a grant from Bradford Council for Mr Pickering's wheelchair-user son, Ryan, who has spina bifida.

Judge Hawkesworth said: "In my judgement Mr Deacon was anxious to get the job done and rid himself of the situation as quick as he could. This may have led him to cut corners.

"I believe he did what he conceived to be the minimum to fulfil the terms of the contract and in some respects work fell short of the standard required."

The damages awarded will pay for repair work including extending doorways which had been left unsuitable for wheelchair access, repairing bathroom fittings and electrical work which had left exposed wires.

After the hearing, Mr Pickering, 44, said that he was delighted with the outcome despite failing to win the full cost of his claim, which had been £12,000.

The unemployed dad-of-three said: "Now we can get the job completed. Ryan, who is now 14, could not live in the extension for three years because we did not have the money to put it right.

"Ryan will be happy. He has been crawling on his hands and knees up and down the stairs for three years. He has cuts on his knees.

"As soon as the money comes through we can start work. I'm glad it's all over."

Mr Deacon, of Harrogate Road, Bradford, said after the hearing that paying Mr Pickering's costs, which were provided through Legal Aid, would bankrupt him. The 65-year-old said: "I am devastated. I can get £5,000 but the costs could be £50,000."