Worcestershire conman jailed for demanding money for work he didn't do

31-year-old Tommy Taylor demanded money from a 74-year-old victim.

Author: Ben CartwrightPublished 8th Jun 2023

A Worcestershire conman who demand money from a 74 year old victim for roofing work which never took place has been jailed for 26 weeks.

Tommy Taylor, 31, of Sandy Lane, Stourport on Severn, was convicted of fraud by false representation after a trial.

Worcester Magistrates Court heard that Taylor approached the victim’s address in Fernhill Heath on 12 November 2022 and demanded money for roofing work which never took place.

The whole incident was captured on a home security camera due to previous fraudulent visits to the victim’s home. The security camera had been installed by the victim’s son due to concerns over his father’s vulnerability.

Taylor was identified by police and was arrested in February 2023.

He denied the offence in interview and claimed that he had been sent to the address by other persons whom he believed had completed the work.

The case went to trial on Monday at Worcester Magistrates Court and Taylor was found guilty. As well as the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay a £150 victim surcharge.

Detective Constable Simon Lloyd said: “I’m pleased to see this verdict and hope this offers some closure and reassurance to the victim and his family.

“The criminal targeting of vulnerable persons in West Mercia will not be tolerated and we will investigate every avenue to bring those offenders to justice.

“This case is a shining example of how people’s homes can be protected with the use of home security cameras and I am sure the evidence gained played a very large part in the Magistrates’ verdict.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.