A PAIR of dodgy roofers have been jailed after tricking "vulnerable older people" into paying for work that had “little value”.

Luke Cooney, 21, and Joshua Williams, 23, deliberately targeted people living alone in Poole, Wool, Dorchester and also in North Yorkshire between April and July last year, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

After the victims - aged between 78 and 85 - agreed to an initial overpriced quote Cooney found further unnecessary work on driveways or roofs which meant that the price increased significantly, the court heard.

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

Cooney insisted on payment in cash and one victim was driven in to cash points twice in one day.

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

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

The pair were caught following an investigation by trading standards at Dorset and North Yorkshire county councils.

Cooney, of Piddlehinton Camp, Dorchester, admitted two counts of fraud and three charges under consumer protection regulation.

Williams, of Russell Gardens, Poole, admitted one count of fraud.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Fuller QC told Cooney: “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.”

The judge said although Williams was only involved at one house he was fully aware of what Cooney was up to and participated willingly, and despite his previous good character the offence merited a custodial sentence.

Cooney was jailed for three years, Williams for eight months.

Dorset councillor Jill Haynes, cabinet member for adult health, care and independence, 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 has urged residents to hire traders via the audited 'Buy With Confidence' scheme. Visit buywithconfidence.gov.uk or call 03454 04 05 06.