Need to keep it in perspective...

Sounds like this dodgy tradesman has 'done a runner' with a substantial amount of your money
and just abandoned the tools because they are probably worthless old junk.

Best not to worry about it,
if the tools are any good just use them and not be bothered about him wanting them back...


Would a charity even accept them as donation ?

Cash Converters would most probably offer less than a tenner for the whole lot.