Builder jailed for charging elderly East Sussex man £20,000 for unnecessary home works
The repairs to the victim's roof only cost around a quarter of the invoiced sum
A rogue builder has been jailed after charging an elderly East Sussex man almost £20,000 for substandard work on his home.
William Henry Jones drove his 91-year-old victim on a 75 mile roundtrip from his home in Hailsham to withdraw the funds.
The victim paid over £13,000 in total, although he was able to cancel a cheque for £8,000.
The repairs to his roof only cost around a quarter of the total initially charged and a surveyor who assessed the work said it was very poorly done.
Jones, previously of Butts Field, Hailsham, pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering offences.
The 28-year-old has been sentenced to just under three years behind bars, which is to run concurrently to a sentence already being served for other matters.
When sentencing Jones, His Honour Judge Mooney, said: “The victim was old and you targeted him. It is absolutely dreadful what you did. You see old people as a cash cow. It’s absolutely despicable and vile.
“You deliberately targeted an elderly man. You demanded £19,500 although the victim’s actual loss was £5,000. There are no mitigating factors. The aggravating facts are very bad.
“I sentence you to 34 months’ immediate custody. You will serve 17 months. If you do this again, I will sentence you to a substantial prison sentence. You deserve very little mercy as you’ve not shown any.”
East Sussex Trading Standards are bringing confiscation proceedings against Jones under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover the sums taken from the victim.
Andy Clooney, East Sussex Trading Standards Team Manager, said: “This was a despicable act of fraud against an elderly and vulnerable resident, who has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket.
“We are pleased Jones has been sentenced to over two and half years in prison for these offences.
“This prosecution should send a message to other rogue traders that we will do everything we can to get justice for our residents.”