Rogue roofer avoids jail for defrauding pensioners

A roofer who defrauded two elderly women out of tens of thousands of pounds, leaving one destitute, has been spared jail.

Tony Lloyd, 24, of Ely, Cambridgeshire, was due to complete minor repairs for two victims, but instead told both they needed complete refurbishments.

Chartered surveyors found not only was the work on both properties unnecessary, it was poorly executed and had caused extensive damage.

Lloyd, who admitted multiple offences, including two counts of fraud, was handed a 20-month sentence suspended for two years at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday.

Prosecuted by Wiltshire Council's Trading Standards and Environmental teams, Lloyd also pleaded guilty to one breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 Act and one charge of flytipping after a separate investigation into waste illegally dumped on land at Semington, Wiltshire, in 2024.

He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £187.

Wiltshire Council said the first victim, an 83-year-old woman from Frome, Somerset, approached Lloyd in November 2023 after receiving a leaflet for his Bristol-based company First Roofcare Ltd.

Lloyd quoted £700 - £900 for repairs but later told the victim she needed a roof replacement at a cost of £30,500.

A surveyor later found the work to be unnecessary, of poor quality and should have cost no more than £600.

Due to the damage caused by Lloyd, the victim said she was now living in the downstairs of her home and could barely afford groceries.

The second victim, 75, from Corsham in Wiltshire, said her confidence had been significantly affected after Lloyd quoted £300 to remove moss from her roof.

After removing tiles unnecessarily, he told the victim she needed spray foam insulation removed and charged her £21,300 for the additional work.

Again, a surveyor found the work was unnecessary and had caused further damage.

Lloyd, who also uses the names William Johnson and William Bray, refunded the two victims in full shortly before he was sentenced.

Councillor Paul Sample, cabinet member for environment, said the council would "continue to take robust action" against offenders who try to "dupe" residents.

He said the impact of such behaviour goes "far beyond" financial harm and victims are often "left with lasting practical and emotional problems".

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