An Eltham window cleaner who conned an elderly lady out of £4500 has been jailed.

Karl Travis, 31, of Kingsley Wood Drive offered to carry out repairs at the victim's home in Higham but was paid for work that was either of a poor standard or which had not been carried out at all.

Between June and November 2013 Travis recieved a number of cheque after offering to repair the woman's roof and guttering, as well as place paving slabs in the back garden of her home.

He was arrested on June 8, 2014 and a subsequent visit to the address by trading standards found that no work had been carried out on the roof or guttering and the quality of the paving in the garden was poor.

Investigating officer PC Andrew Simpson said: "Karl Travis did not have the skill or desire to carry out the work he was paid for, and his only intention was to trick a vulnerable woman into giving him a significant sum of money that he was not entitled to.

"Sadly the victim in this case died before the case reached court and will never be repaid what was lost.

"However, I hope the prison sentence imposed on Travis is of some comfort to her family, who have been very supportive throughout the investigation.

"I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to be wary of anyone who offers to carry out work on your home, no matter how friendly they may appear.

"It is always worth receiving several quotes from different companies if you are considering any repairs."

Travis was charged with fraud by false representation and pleaded quilty on Thursday (November 17).

He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to one year in prison.