‘I feel like scum’ said bogus worker after conning OAPs

TWO bogus workmen were jailed for “cruelly” conning pensioners out of thousands of pounds.

One of the men, Andrew Lovell, said he now regretted his behaviour, admitting: “I feel like scum,” even though he has a previous similar conviction.

Liverpool Crown Court heard last Wednesday that one 75-year-old victim did not believe they had carried out work on her drive, but handed over £3,500 as she feared they would rip up her block paving.

The second victim, who was 84 and living with dementia, gave the conmen £2,600 cash for non-existent roof repairs, but they made her pay an extra £600 and took her to the bank in their van.

Lovell, 41, of Coppice Green, Elton, near Ellesmere Port, and Charles Smith, 48, of Roach Vale, Rochdale, both pleaded guilty to two fraud offences and Smith also admitted making a false statement to obtain motor insurance.

Rob Jones, prosecuting, told the court that one of the fraudsters knocked at the home of a 75-year-old widow in Birkenhead, on January 5 this year, holding a brochure about driveways.

She saw a van parked outside with a CNS Properties logo and he told her driveway needed sealant. He said it should cost £4,000, but if they did it that day it would only be £3,500.

Because she felt “intimidated”, she agreed to get the money and withdrew £3,500.

He claimed the work had been done but she knew it was “a barefaced lie” as she knew the van had followed her to the bank and the driveway was untouched.

Mr Jones said that, on January 6, the two men called at the home of an 84-year-old, in Formby, offering to repair her roof but not quoting a price.

The woman, who has dementia, agreed. They did not do the work but returned a few days later asking for £2,600, which she handed over.

They then said they needed more and drove her to the bank to get a further £600.

The following day, Smith returned and the victim’s daughter, who was visiting, opened the door and was asked if she wanted jet washing work. She told him to leave and noticed he did not call at neighbours’ homes, so notified the police, who stopped the van about 15 minutes later.

The court heard that Lovell had been jailed for 15 months for conning pensioners in Frodsham in 2011.

Smith has convictions for dishonesty. ●●Charles Smith of Rochdale and Andrew Lovell conned pensioners out of thousands of pounds with non existent or poor quality building work

David Birrell, defending, said that Lovell had written a letter in which he stated: “I know the offences are awful and I feel like scum.

“I cannot look at my wife and children because I am so ashamed.”

Defence barrister Sarah Griffin said that Smith, a father-of-three, “is deeply sorry and knows these are cruel offences”.

She added that his crimes had “put a strain” on his relationship with his wife.

Jailing both Lovell and Smith for three years and four months, Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said there were “sinister” aspects to their activity.

They were both ordered to pay £3,350 compensation each at £100 per month. Smith was also banned from driving for 32 months.