A gang of conmen used "scare tactics" to pressure elderly Nottinghamshire residents into paying for overpriced, shoddy roof repair work which was not always needed. The gang of four was investigated by the Nottinghamshire County Council trading standards service, which found they sometimes claimed that if the work was not done then loose material could fall from the victim’s roof and injure or kill someone.
The council said expert evidence concluded that the work carried out on victims’ roofs was poor-quality and superficial, and the repairs completed by the defendants did not address any actual deterioration. The expert also found that some of the work was entirely unnecessary and that where the work was required, the money obtained by the defendants was far in excess of what could be considered reasonable.
The gang, led by brothers Fred Smith, 50, and Henry Smith, 27, both of Corbriggs Caravan Site, Chesterfield, all admitted to targeting customers based on their age or vulnerability. The group, which also included Thomas Maughan, 25, of Raglan Street, Alfreton, and Kevin Stewart, 26, of Elder Avenue, Beith, Ayrshire, also admitted to misleading customers about the extent of work required, deliberately overcharging for work carried out, failing to exercise the standard of skill expected from competent tradesmen and using improper techniques to collect fees that they claimed they were owed.
Read more: CCTV images released as teen robbed and forced to hand over e-scooter in Bulwell
They all pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act 2006. During a sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court on January 13, Judge Warburton described the crimes as "despicable". Fred and Henry Smith were sentenced to 23 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 200 hours' unpaid work.
Maughan was given 18 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 100 hours' unpaid work, and Stewart was given 100 hours' unpaid work. The Smiths and Maughan were also issued a Criminal Behaviour Order.
All defendants were ordered to pay compensation for the victims in the case within three months; Fred Smith, Henry Smith and Maughan have to pay £2,766 and Kevin Steward £1,850. Councillor John Cottee, cabinet member for communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I firmly agree with the judge in that these men have committed a despicable crime - targeting the elderly and vulnerable in such a manner can have a devastating impact on victims and their families.
"This case shows that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated in Nottinghamshire. Our trading standards service will continue to protect the most vulnerable in our community and pursue any perpetrators of this type of conduct to ensure that they face justice.”
READ NEXT:
'Coward' who blamed girlfriend for fatal crash has caused 'a lifetime of pain'
Man married woman who left him needing surgery after glass attack in Mansfield
Nottinghamshire welder caught drink-driving after mercy dash to help stranded ex
Arnold pensioner denies owning dog which was 'dangerously out of control'
Asthma sufferer blamed bust lip on his failure to give breath test to police
