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Builder jailed for £100,000 scam | Builder jailed for £100,000 scam |
(20 minutes later) | |
A builder who conned up to £100,000 out of elderly people in the West Midlands for work they did not need has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. | A builder who conned up to £100,000 out of elderly people in the West Midlands for work they did not need has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. |
Stephen Allen, of Stechford, Birmingham, admitted conspiracy to obtain property by deception during a three-year scam. | Stephen Allen, of Stechford, Birmingham, admitted conspiracy to obtain property by deception during a three-year scam. |
The judge at Birmingham Crown Court described him as "evil and wicked". | The judge at Birmingham Crown Court described him as "evil and wicked". |
Allen's co-defendant, Vincent Smith, failed to turn up at court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. | Allen's co-defendant, Vincent Smith, failed to turn up at court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. |
Both men were arrested following a joint investigation by Sandwell Trading Standards and West Midlands Police. | Both men were arrested following a joint investigation by Sandwell Trading Standards and West Midlands Police. |
'Cold-called' | 'Cold-called' |
Smith, also of Stechford, was found guilty of the same charge last November and will be sentenced on 22 March. | Smith, also of Stechford, was found guilty of the same charge last November and will be sentenced on 22 March. |
Both men targeted vulnerable elderly people across the West Midlands region. | Both men targeted vulnerable elderly people across the West Midlands region. |
Chris King, of Sandwell Trading Standards, said: "One woman lost £18,900 while two 84-year-old women lost £9,000 and £17,000 respectively. | Chris King, of Sandwell Trading Standards, said: "One woman lost £18,900 while two 84-year-old women lost £9,000 and £17,000 respectively. |
"As a general rule the victims had been cold-called and told their roofs needed urgent work. | "As a general rule the victims had been cold-called and told their roofs needed urgent work. |
"They would be given false names - Stephen Allen would call himself Frank while Vincent Smith said his name was Dave. | |
"We had evidence that showed that they actually damaged the roof." |