A rogue trader who preyed on vulnerable pensioners has been jailed after he was caught walking an 83-year-old Solihull woman to her bank to collect cash for his shoddy work.

Traveller Harry Smith, who used the alias Michael, targeted Alzheimers and dementia sufferers charging them extortionate fees.

One of 24-year-olds victims included a 71-year-old woman from Knowle whom he cold-called on January 10 last year and offered to carry out roof repairs and tile jet washing for 1,200.

Eventually he presented the pensioner with a bill for 2,300 - more than five times what it was worth.

That bill included a 150 weed sealant which involved Smith splash a mystery solution from a watering can over her driveway.

The dodgy dealer - who may have amassed 33,000 from his scams - was sentenced to 25 months in prison after he admitted one count of fraud by false representation and at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (July 4).

The judge also imposed a Serious Crime Prevention Order.

Smith will face five more years behind bars should he be caught touting door-to-door for for building or repair work during the next three years.

Smith, whose last known address was in Earl Barton, Northampton, was caught by cops on February 1 after a cashier became suspicious when he escorted the pensioner to her bank in the hope of getting a cash lump sum payment.

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Rogue trader who charged elderly fortune for shoddy work jailed

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July 8, 2014 at 8:31 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Tile Work