Rogue trader who forced elderly man to hand over £40,000 for work on house is jailed

Crook Henry Smith, 36, of Southampton Road, Titchfield, pled guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at Portsmouth Crown Court where he was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison today.

Police received reports on Monday 13 March 2023 that an 81-year-old man from Fareham had been forced to pay £40,000 for work on his house and garden that he did not ask for and was never completed.

An investigation was launched by the Eastern Investigations Team. Following extensive enquiries Smith was arrested at Gatwick Airport on Tuesday 23 April 2024 assisted by officers from Sussex Police upon his re-entering the country.

District Commander for Fareham and Gosport Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy said: “Rogue traders and doorstep criminals routinely prey on the elderly and vulnerable members of our community, often using confusion tactics or coercion to extort them out of vast sums of money.

“Criminals like Smith are a blight on our community, but it is down to community spirit and community intelligence that we can drive these offenders out of our areas.

“We urge people to continue to report suspicious activity to the police, to look out for your vulnerable neighbours, friends or relatives, and to report crime to Action Fraud or the police. We will continue to relentlessly pursue anyone who targets especially vulnerable members from our community.”

Police added: “We encourage people to read the advice and information on doorstep crime on our website, and share with anyone you feel could benefit from reading it: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/personal-fraud/door-to-door-courier-fraud/”