Rogue trader jailed for targeting vulnerable Dorset residents
He carried out fraudulent business in four different counties
A Salisbury man who worked on a range of home and garden maintenance jobs at homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Devon has been jailed for taking part in fraudulent business.
On 22nd March, at Bournemouth Crown Court, Thomas Edward Turner aged 41, of Oaktree Farm Caravan site, Odstock Road, Salisbury, was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment.
It's after he pleaded guilty on 8th January 2021, to an offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
He admitted that between 1st August 2017 and 8th September 2018 he knowingly participated in a fraudulent business known as 'All Seasons' that provided services at grossly inflated prices.
Fraudulent behaviour was identified at eight properties where he had worked, carrying out a mix of roofing, guttering, driveway and path repairs, moss removal, jet washing and garden work.
These properties were in Ferndown; Christchurch; Exeter, Devizes; Andover and Shipton Bellinger in Hampshire.
A list of excessive charging, unnecessary work and charging for work not done was revealed when these cases were investigated by trading standards officers from Dorset.
TURNER TARGETTED THE ELDERLY AND VULNERABLE
The court heard that Turner would approach elderly and often vulnerable victims and frighten them into believing that their roofs had serious problems which required immediate attention.
Two of the victims were in the later stages of dementia and one was registered blind.
His men would start work immediately and undertake unnecessary and sub-standard, overpriced work.
The victims paid in advance for the work by cash or bank transfer.
ARRESTED AT A VICTIMS HOUSE
In August 2018 police arrested Turner at a victim's house in Andover, Hampshire and trading standards officers in Dorset became involved due to other complaints.
Subsequent investigation of Turner's bank accounts led to the details of seven other victims being traced and together they were found to have lost over £100,000 between them.
Turner later admitted to a total of £70,000.
SECOND MAN FROM DEVIZES INVOLVED
A second man who was found to have laundered money for the business was also given a prison sentence.
As part of this case, 22-year-old Aaron Eli Brown of Frome, Somerset was also sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on 22nd March 2021 for two offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
He was found guilty on 8th January, after a trial, of withdrawing funds from a bank account which had been obtained as a result of fraudulent maintenance work at two properties in Ferndown and Devizes. Brown was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment.
To report concerns about rogue traders in your area the first point of contact is theCitizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.