Four criminals whose actions brought "catastrophic" finanacial and emotional changes to the lives of three vulnerable people have been jailed. Victims were duped into parting with tens of thousands of pounds in a scam operated by the quartet in Cheshire.
One woman handed over more than £60,000 for a blocked paveway when the work done justified only about £6,000 in payment. Another victim, who is registered blind, handed over almost £18,000 for weeding of their garden and repointing of a wall.
Patrick McDonagh, the main man behind the ruse, used the cash to buy high value vehicles which were then sold. He also splashed the cash on a family holiday in Turkey - however police said this was his 'downfall' after booking the holiday using an unregistered mobile phone linked to his fraudulent company.
