Bogus builder tricked Leeds pensioners

A conman tricked elderly people in Leeds out of cash for building work which he then spent on drink and drugs.

Anthony Jarrett targeted nine vulnerable pensioners in the city aged between 66 and 80 during a five month crime spree.

Leeds Crown Court heard Jarrett would knock on doors claiming he was doing roofing and building work in the area and took money from them which he failed to complete.

Jarrett was eventually caught in November last year when he moved to the Sunderland area and preyed on a tenth victim.

Syam Soni, prosecuting, said he called at the victim’s home on repeated occasions before he agreed to give Jarrett £375.

Jarrett was traced and arrested when the victim contacted police.

Jarrett, 38, of Salisbury Road, Armley, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation. He asked the court to take nine similar offences into consideration by the court.

A total of £2,010 was taken from victims.

Ben Campbell, mitigating, said Jarrett was ashamed of what he had done and committed the offences to fund his drink and drug habit.

Mr Campbell said the offences were not sophisticated as Jarrett often left personal contact details with victims.

The barrister said Jarrett admitted to his offending at an early stage.

Jarrett was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work.

Recorder Simon Eckersley said: “These were plainly mean offences. At this time you were deliberately seeking out and finding the vulnerable.

“All of the victims were over the age of 66.

“This is high culpability because of the age of large number of victims.”