THREE rogue traders have been jailed after trying to con elderly people into handing over thousands of pounds for unnecessary home repairs.

Brothers James Vincent, aged 40, Robert Vincent, aged 41, and their 27-year-old cousin Amos Vincent were jailed for a total of 17 years and four months at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday.

Robert, of Wagtail Way in St Mary Cray, was sentenced to eight years after previously pleading guilty to two charges of fraud.

James, of Sandpiper Way in St Mary Cray, was given six years after previously pleading guilty to two counts of fraud and one charge of dangerous driving.

Amos, also of Wagtail Way in St Mary Cray, was jailed for 40 months after previously pleading guilty to fraud.

ROBERT AND JAMES VINCENT

The court heard that in November last year Robert cold called at the home of an elderly couple, aged 78 and 76, in Mottingham and told them they needed roof repairs costing £2,800.

Robert left the property and got into a Ford Focus driven by James, while the elderly man made his way to the bank.

Police were watching the house after reports of cold calling in the area and when they tried to stop James’ car he sped away.

Officers chased the car for three miles during which James sped through a hospital car park and along a pavement, before eventually arresting both men.

The court also heard that in May last year Robert cold called at the home of a 100-year-old man in Dartford and splashed water on the walls before telling him the property needed repairs.

However the man told Robert to leave, and he was caught on a surveillance camera set up by police and Trading Standards outside the property and arrested three weeks later.

In August last year James cold called at the home of an 84-year-old man in Bickley and told her the property needed repairs costing £440.

He was arrested after a suspicious neighbour of the 84-year-old contacted Bromley Trading Standards, which notified the police.

The court heard that both James and Robert have previous convictions for similar offences.

Sentencing them, Judge Michael Carroll said they had “preyed on extremely elderly victims”.

AMOS VINCENT

In November last year, Amos called at the home of an 82-year-old woman in Bexley along with another man and told her the roof needed repairs costing £1,200, the court heard.

The woman handed over the money and Amos and the other man then left without doing any work.

Amos returned alone the next day, telling the woman he had been sent to inspect her loft, and then quoted her a price of £2,000 for repairs.

When the woman went to the bank to withdraw the money, a cashier became suspicious and the police were contacted who arrested Amos at her home.

The court heard Amos has previous convictions for distraction burglaries including stealing an 82-year-old war veteran’s service medals from his home in Catford in 2007.

Sentencing Amos, Judge Carroll said he had chosen the 82-year-old woman as a victim and “clearly knew what the stakes were”.

He added: “You preyed on an elderly victim.”

DETECTIVE SERGEANT KEITH SIMMONETT

After the sentencing, the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Keith Simmonett, said: “The Vincent brothers and cousin are three callous, unremorseful individuals whose simple aim is to con as many elderly people as possible.

"They prey on the elderly and vulnerable in the hope that they will part with large sums of money."

He added: “I am appealing to everyone with elderly parents, friends, neighbours and relatives to ensure that they pass on my advice.

"Please do not entertain anyone calling on your door step and advising you that your property needs to be repaired.

"If anyone does, ask them to leave and inform them that you will seek advice from a trusted builder. "Do not give them any money and do not let them access your house.

"If you feel threatened, shut the door and ring 999.”

COUNCILLOR PETER MORGAN

Councillor Peter Morgan, chairman of the Safer Bromley Partnership, said: “I’m very pleased the courts have given a substantial sentence for attempts to defraud unsuspecting people in Bromley borough.

“Bromley Trading Standards have a strong track record in investigating this type of activity by thoughtless criminals who prey on elderly people in particular.

"Echoing the police advice, may I urge anyone who suspects that they or their families, neighbours or friends are being inappropriately approached or conned by cold-calling traders to contact the police or call Bromley Trading Standards Rapid Response line on 07903 852090."