A Cumbrian builder today received a five year Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) at Carlisle Crown Court for attempting to obtain property by deception and threatening to damage the house of an elderly lady.
On 5 April 2005, Paul Irving Simpson, 40, of Merith Avenue, Carlisle targeted the home of a 73 year old Kendal resident by calling unannounced and telling the lady her roof needed repairing.
The pensioner's daughter was visiting at the time and Simpson left without taking the matter any further.
The following day, however, Simpson returned to tell the lady he had done the work while she had been out and proceeded to demand payment.
An independent report was commissioned to look at the quality of 'work' that Simpson maintained he had been contracted to perform.
The report concluded that in effect no work had taken place and that Simpson had in fact damaged the roof. The Carlisle builder was essentially trying to con the elderly lady.
Simpson pleaded guilty to:
1) attempting to obtain property (ie money) by deception
2) threatening to damage the house of the 73 year old
As well as receiving the five year ASBO, Simpson was sentenced to 60 hours unpaid community work and ordered to pay his victim £450 compensation
The ASBO prohibits him from making unsolicited visits to dwelling houses for the purpose of obtaining building or gardening work for a period of 5 years.
Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria Trading Standards, said "I am very pleased with the sentencing by the Judge. Bogus builders who deliberately target the homes of the elderly and offer to do home repairs that are not necessary should be aware that we will always adopt a robust approach in bringing them to justice."
"This ASBO will help protect elderly residents from Simpson's bogus practices in the future."
ENDS
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