Rogue Peterborough trader jailed
A "prolific" fraudster has been jailed after breaching a strict court order
Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed a "prolific fraudster" has been jailed after breaching a strict court order that banned him from door knocking residents.
Anthony Atkins, 48, targeted six houses in Larch Grove, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, between 10 July and 10 September last year, telling residents he was there to clean their gutters and requested money for the work.
It was a direct breach of the ten-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) Atkins received in January 2017, banning him from conducting door-to-door enquiries or sales of any sort and cold calling any premises in connection with any trade, business or service.
He was arrested on 10 September in Nottingham Way, Dogsthorpe, after one of the victims told their local PCSO he was in the area.
He initially gave the officer a false name and ran off, trying to change his appearance by removing his jacket and letting his hair down.
Atkins, of Eastfield Road, Eastfield, Peterborough, was sentenced to three years in prison at Cambridge Crown Court (29 April) after previously admitting five counts of fraud by false representation and six breaches of his CBO.
"His actions can significantly impact his victims"
Detective Constable Matt Reed, who investigated, said: “Since his CBO, Atkins has been convicted of multiple breaches of the order, each resulting in time in prison.
“His actions can significantly impact his victims, and on one occasion he even tried to convince one of them he was a nephew she had not seen for a while in order to get money.
“I would like to thank those who reported these incidents to us, and encourage anyone who thinks they may have fallen victim to a rogue trader such as Atkins to report it to us.”
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