Oliver Playle, 41, of Wansfell Gardens, Southend, caused bruising and swelling to the woman, in her sixties, as they argued over whether he deserved to be paid. In a statement to the court, the victim said she felt “coerced” by Playle, who “persistently visited me alone at home”. Ultimately, she wrote: “Building control visited and condemned the works carried out.” The woman wrote that she had suffered nightmares and “indescribable stress”, forcing her to take time off work. The probation service reported to the court that Playle was now working and had “a stable family situation”.