Two rogue traders who scammed Bromley residents out of thousands of pounds have been jailed after being prosecuted by the local Trading Standards team.

Francis Delaney, formerly a director of now defunct company All Type Roofing & Building Limited, approached his initial victim on the street.

He later went to their home and over a period of several days suggested and conducted works to the roof, fascias, soffits, gutters and damp course, for which the complainant paid £11,500.

Trading standards investigations revealed several of the “repairs” Delaney made were either substandard or unnecessary.

Further inquiries uncovered two additional Bromley residents who fell victim to Delaney after finding a flyer in their letterbox from the rogue company.

Both Orpington residents were manipulated into agreeing to unnecessary and poor-quality works, which left them £29,000 and £90,250 out of pocket respectively.

The first of the victims agreed with Delaney a price of £1,250 for repairs to a small flat roof.

Delaney then suggested further general building and plastering work and a toilet replacement.

He also claimed that repairs were required to the ridge tiles, gutter fascias and soffits, and that sealant needed to be applied to the roof and exterior walls of the property.

He went on to rebuild a front garden wall, repair a gate, clear the back garden, and lay paving slabs – coming to a total of £29,000.

The second of the victims called Delaney to quote for guttering repairs. It was agreed that the gutter, soffit, and fascia would be replaced, and the exterior of the property painted.

Delaney then suggested that work was required to the damp course and concrete paths, and later carried out work to the garden and fencing. The total paid for these works was £90,250.

Delaney admitted to overcharging his victims by £34,995.

Although some work was deemed to be of a reasonable standard, it was clear substantial profiteering had taken place.

The two Orpington-based customers both called All Type Roofing & Building Limited to quote for repairs, having received an advertising flyer through their letterboxes.

Delaney from Nazeing Road, Essex, was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months alongside 120 hours of unpaid work.

He must also complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity following eight convictions for fraud by false representation.

In a separate case, Francis Coyle of Lennox Close, Romford, faced prosecution for similarly defrauding Bromley residents.

In a similar pattern of behaviour, his victim was cold-called and misled about the need for extensive roofing works amounting to £17,500. He went on to claim that the tiles were damp underneath, the felt was perishing and a new roof was required.

Further payments were demanded for the work by Coyle’s co-conspirators, causing the resident to pay a total of £46,000 for work that was never completed.

A post-incident survey found that there was no need for the roof replacement and there were no signs of the alleged damages.

The director of dissolved F & M Builders Limited, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after being charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.

Councillor Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement said, “These outcomes send a firm message to those who choose to cynically exploit Bromley residents.

“There should never be any doubt that we will investigate and prosecute.

“The comment from one victim that had Trading Standards not got involved, that the traders would have carried on seeking more work is telling.

“It also reflects the value of the work that the Council’s Trading Standards team do day in and day out to protect residents.”

“Our strongest advice for residents is to simply not deal with doorstep traders and to always seek out reputable and reliable businesses.

“It is the reason that we operate our Trading Standards Checked scheme, to give confidence to residents.

“We know that residents who are seen as being older are particularly at risk of this type of crime and I would encourage family members to raise this example with other older relatives or friends to raise awareness and help protect us all.”

For engagement with reliable and approved traders for home improvements, visit Trading Standard's approved list at bromley.gov.uk.