Shropshire builder who preyed on the elderly jailed
A Shropshire builder who preyed on elderly residents was today jailed for two-and-a-half years after a Shropshire Council Trading Standards investigation.
William Varey, 32, of Church Street, Ightfield, near Whitchurch, was sentenced today at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Judge Robin Onions praised the “rapid prosecution by Trading Standards”.
At an earlier hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court, Varey pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud and three of misleading commercial practices.
The court today heard that Varey carried out work on older people’s homes that, in most cases, was not needed, was of poor quality, and charged excessive amounts for the work.
Mr Tony Watkin, prosecuting on behalf of Shropshire Council, told the court that Varey cold called at three neighbouring houses in Market Drayton in October and November last year.
Without informing them of their cancellation rights, he persuaded the elderly householders, including an 83-year-old disabled man, to enter into contracts for small pieces of work such as pressure washing a roof, but then invented other work he claimed was required.
In total Varey attempted to charge almost £15,000 for the work at the three houses. Varey took payment for almost £7,000 before Trading Standards officers and Police stepped in and ensured the remaining amount was not paid.
At court, Mr Watkin shared the findings of an independent expert who concluded that the true cost of the work was a fraction of the amount charged.
Varey also told one customer that he had contacted their insurance company and the cost would be met under the household insurance policy, when this was not the case.
Judge Onions described Varey as a “menace” and said it was a “nightmare” for relatives of elderly people worried about whether conmen would knock at their loved one’s door.
He said Varey was “not much better than a distraction burglar” and it was not an accident that the victims were elderly as such fraudsters “prey on the elderly and vulnerable”.
He added:
“People at that age should be entitled to live out their life in peace without dreading the knock on the door, the conman coming to take their money.”
Mr Simon Phillips, defending, said:
“He knows he’s got to try and turn his life around.”
The court also heard about previous similar offences, and these were taken into account in sentencing.
