Crime Solicitors

Rogue traders who deliberately targeted elderly and vulnerable people living alone have been jailed, following investigations by Dorset County Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Luke Cooney, 21, from Dorchester and Joshua Williams, 23, from Poole in Dorset were sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court, after they pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and three offences under consumer protection regulations. Williams also admitted one count of fraud.

The court heard that, between April and July 2015, Cooney had called at the homes of four elderly residents in Dorchester and Poole and two neighbours in Wool. In September, he called at the home of a North Yorkshire resident.

In each case, he offered to do work on their driveways or roofs – after the victims agreed to the initial overpriced quote, he found further unnecessary work to carry out, which meant that the price increased significantly.

Expert reports showed that the work done had little value – and in some cases had done damage to the properties, which required remedial work.

Cooney insisted on payment in cash – and one victim had been driven to cash points twice in one day.

Cooney’s victims were all aged between 78 and 85.

Williams was called in by Cooney to a house in Wool, where he was introduced as the roofing expert – although his only qualifications were an NVQ in plastering.

He falsely claimed that the ridge tiles needed re-bedding and charged £600 for this.

Sentencing Cooney, His Honour Judge Fuller QC said:

“You targeted the elderly as they were vulnerable – and tricked them and caused them to pay more money to you.

“These cases cause untold worry to the victims – you took a lead role and there were multiple victims.

“These are offences that require significant planning and targeting – that’s what makes these offences so serious.”

Sentencing Williams, the judge said that, although he was only involved at one house, he was fully aware of what Cooney was up to – and participated willingly. Despite his previous good character, the offence merited a custodial sentence, the judge added.
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Dorset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Health, Care and Independence, Councillor Jill Haynes, said:

“Tackling rogue traders that prey on vulnerable adults is top priority for our Trading Standards team.

“We will continue to investigate dishonest traders and vigorously pursue formal action in appropriate cases.

“We are working together with Dorset Police to try and raise awareness of this type of doorstep crime – and support residents in doing all they can to avoid becoming a victim by saying no to uninvited doorstep traders.”

The council says that consumers needing work done on their home can look for a trader who is a member of the Trading Standards Buy With Confidence trader approval scheme. Members are audited by Trading Standards prior to acceptance in the scheme.


Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers can advise at any stage of a public protection offence, including charges involving selling counterfeit goods, providing bogus services, selling illicit alcohol or tobacco products, weights and measures issues, mislabelling offences, food hygiene breaches, selling restricted items to minors and breaches of health and safety regulations.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and Duncan Lewis can advise on police raids and premises inspections by Trading Standards or local authority fraud teams.

For expert legal advice on public protection offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.