Rogue trader jailed after conning elderly widow

A rogue trader has been jailed for three years after conning an elderly widow into handing over £1,500.

Patrick William John White, 26, went to the 84-year-old woman's home in Thirsk on 11 June 2024 and said he had carried out work in her neighbour's loft and hers needed work too, according to North Yorkshire Police.

He refused to accept a cheque, so the woman walked to a cashpoint to withdraw the money. Police were called later when the woman spoke to her neighbour and they told her they had not had work carried out at their home.

White, of Riverside Park Road, Middlesbrough, was sentenced at York Crown Court on Wednesday after being found guilty of fraud on 27 November.

Det Sgt Quita Readman, of North Yorkshire Police, said White "took advantage" of his victim and had not shown any remorse for his actions.

"This was a cruel, targeted fraud against a vulnerable elderly victim in her own home," she said.

"Without the support and bravery of the victim and another witness, we could not have secured this conviction."

Police were called after White turned up at the woman's house the following day claiming more work needed to be done.

Officers discovered a white van that had been parked outside the house and traced it back to Middlesbrough, before then linking it to White.

He was then identified as the man who entered the house following an identity procedure.

A chartered surveyor later examined the property and confirmed that no work had been carried out in the loft – and no work had needed to be carried out.

North Yorkshire Police warned people to be aware of the practices of rogue traders, following the conviction.

A force spokesperson said genuine traders would not call uninvited or try to persuade people that work needed doing on a home or garden.

"By contrast, rogue traders will often approach your home directly, looking to trick you into agreeing to let them do work," the spokesperson said.

"If you agree, they'll overcharge you for shoddy work, which they might not even complete and probably wasn't necessary in the first place."

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