Rogue trader Darrell Gowler not only fleeced elderly victims but twice followed them into their homes and stole purses and wallets.
His “cold and callous” actions were put before a crown court judge who jailed him for four years.
Gowler, 32, targeted elderly victims and scammed them out of hundreds of pounds, the court heard.
His victims were all from Wisbech where he called at their houses over the summer, offering to carry out work, including cleaning gutters and repairing roofs.
Gowler charged disproportionate amounts for the work and demanded payment upfront before failing to return to complete the jobs, the court heard.
On two occasions, Gowler even followed victims into their homes and stole purses and wallets when they weren’t looking.
On Monday (2 December), at Peterborough Crown Court, Gowler, of Linnett Drive, Wisbech, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of dwelling burglary and two counts of fraud.
Detective Constable Tom Adams, who investigated, said: “Gowler was cold and callous in his pursuit of the victims, demanding excessive amounts for very little work.
“He took advantage of the victims’ vulnerabilities and, on two occasions, brazenly stole from them when they weren’t looking or had left the room. I am glad justice has been done today.”
For more on rogue traders, how to spot them and how to report, visit the Cambs Police website
