CONTRACTOR PAID FOR MATERIAL NO SHOW

My husband and I returned from Botswana and moved into our property and decided to build a deck as we have a spectacular view of the sea. We obtained six(6) quotes from reputable Companies all had photos on the website. We chose JMx Decks and Log Homes as they claim to have been in business for 20 years building Log Homes and Decks, to our dismay we paid the owner John Marx R18 623.00 being a 65% deposit to purchase materials as all contractors would require. He started the structure not according to specifications .He did not show up for two days. My husband visited his home wanting the material we paid for but he was highly intoxicated. I wrote him a letter and asked him to please deliver the material we paid for BUT he then said that he is no longer interested in the job???? My husband has now gone to the police to lay a charge of theft and ***** as we do not have our material or the funds...NOT fair we are retired people and was accepted a quote in good faith..why take our money and spend it! Why run away, be honorable and complete the job.... a lot of work will come his way if he is honest.