Rogue trader jailed after Blackpool Trading Standards found 80-year-old had been 'driven to withdraw £2,000'

A roofer who misled, threatened, and took thousands of pounds from an elderly victim has been jailed.

Blackpool Council successfully prosecuted Ben Smith, 36, after he targeted a widow in her 80s.

He was jailed for 22 months on Tuesday July 21 at Preston Crown Court.

The court heard how he pressured the homeowner into agreeing to roofing work, aggressively demanded £2,000 up-front in cash, and later threatened to damage her

property.

In a victim impact statement, the lady, who had been recently bereaved, said she was left feeling “distressed, intimidated and betrayed” by Smith’s actions.

“I feel unsafe and anxious in my own home – my sense of security and peace of mind has been taken away,” the victim said.

Smith, of Pierce Close, Padiham, had pleaded guilty at a hearing on June 8, to four counts of engaging in commercial practices which are aggressive, misleading by action, and misleading by omission.

He and another trader had approached the homeowner offering to carry out roofing work.

When the victim initially declined, she was shown photos purporting to show holes, missing tiles and damaged timbers in her roof. After persistent pressure, the victim agreed to works

quoted at £2,500 and Smith arranged for her to be driven to withdraw £2,000 in cash.

When the victim raised concerns about the extent and quality of repairs being completed, and refused to pay the additional £500, Smith threatened to remove tiles from the roof.

The victim contacted police and Blackpool Council’s Trading Standards team, who attended and launched an investigation.

Smith was sentenced to 12 months in custody for offences contrary to the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading regulations.

These offences were committed while Smith was subject to a suspended sentence, meaning he received 10 months consecutive custody for the earlier offence, along with 7 days consecutive for failing to surrender to bail.

Preston Crown Court also made Smith subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order for five years.

Cllr Dave Flanagan, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for public protection, housing and empty properties, said: “This is a really upsetting case – that somebody would deliberately

target an older, vulnerable person is despicable.

“I’m immensely grateful to our Trading Standards team who thoroughly investigated this incident, building a strong case for court that’s reflected in the sentence handed down.

“Just as importantly, they offered the victim kindness, reassurance and professionalism.

“It was a textbook case of rogue trading, including cold calling, high-pressure sales practices, the exploitation of fear, demands for immediate payment, and the targeting of a vulnerable

person.

“The victim’s account and the evidence our team gathered show a clear disregard for legislation and the real harm that such practices can cause.

“We take all reports of this nature seriously and will use all the powers at our disposal to bring people to justice.”

Blackpool residents with concerns or suspicions about rogue trading should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, on: 0808 223 1133 or via: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer.

Where criminal activity is suspected, Trading Standards will be notified.

For urgent matters, if suspicious traders are on your property, or to be added to the No Cold Calling Register, contact Blackpool Council Trading Standards directly on: 01253 478375

To find trusted, reputable traders, visit: Safe and secure traders directory