A cowboy builder who fleeced dozens of elderly people out of thousands of pounds has been banned from carrying out door-to-door sales in the UK. He is also not allowed to make cold calls.
Alan Fitzgerald, 53, has a prolific history of preying on vulnerable pensioners, including a 94-year-old woman who was tricked out of £6,000. He was originally jailed for six years in 2014 for conning 39 elderly victims out of £300,000 by posing as a builder.
But just weeks after being released from prison, Fitzgerald was back cold-calling vulnerable people and swindling them out of cash. Fitzgerald, of Raunds, Northants, admitted 10 further charges relating to exploiting the elderly out of £14,000 and was jailed for 40 months in April 2020.
The convicted fraudster has now been slapped with a criminal behaviour order (CBO) banning him from making contact with anyone in an attempt to sell them something. Fitzgerald was handed the CBO at Northampton Magistrates’ Court following an application made by Northamptonshire Police.
It prohibits him from attending any person’s home for any purpose related to the sale of any goods or service, on his or any other businesses behalf. The CBO also bans him from making unsolicited calls or using any online means related to the sale of any goods or service. If Fitzgerald breaks the terms of this order it will be considered a criminal offence and doing so could lead to him ending up back in jail.
Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Chris Stevens said: “The criminal behaviour repeatedly demonstrated by Alan Fitzgerald means that this CBO was issued against him meaning that he cannot attempt to sell goods or services to anyone. By issuing details of the order along with his photograph, we’re able to make members of the public aware of the restrictions imposed, and ask anyone who sees Fitzgerald breaking the terms of this CBO to report it immediately to us by calling 101 so we can take further action.”
A court heard previously Fitzgerald preyed on the infirm and elderly with dire warnings that their homes needed urgent repairs. He took money from 39 pensioners in Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire by overcharging them for work he botched or never finished.
One victim handed over £39,000 while a 94-year-old woman gave Fitzgerald £6,000 after being told she had asbestos in her home and would be prosecuted if she did not pay him. In one case he told a man to pay him £240 while another victim was asked to hand over £350 up front.
He also told another woman that her conservatory was not fitted properly and needed a box which would cost £475. Another man was even informed that if he paid £250 to have a front porch door replaced it would be used as a show home and the victim would receive £150.
On another occasion he even stole a 73-year-old victim’s car. Another elderly victim was taken to a cash machine by Fitzgerald who demanded immediate payment. Others were told they would have money knocked off their bill if they paid lump sums in advance.
Judge Richard Bray said Fitzgerald‘s crimes were “truly despicable”. Sergeant Chris Stevens, of Northamptonshire Police, said previously “Alan Fitzgerald is a repeat and prolific offender who preyed on the elderly and the vulnerable in order to mercilessly scam them out of their hard-earned money.”
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
