A Romford rogue trader has been sentenced to a year in jail after a homeowner was conned out of £46,000 for fictitious roof repairs.

Francis Coyle of Lennox Close in Romford was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on February 16 by Bromley's Trading Standards Team.

Coyle, director of now dissolved F&M Builders, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

The Romford man cold called a Bromley resident claiming to have seen a problem with their roof's ridge tiles.

He alleged they were damp underneath and felt perishing, as well as a replacement roof, was needed at a cost of £17,500.

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More payments were demanded by Coyle's co-conspirators and the victim lost a total of £46,000.

Some scaffolding was put up, the ridge tiles removed, but no further roof work was done.

A surveyor found there was no need for a replacement roof and the felt was intact with no sign of damp.

Angela Page, executive councillor for public protection and enforcement at Bromley Council, said older residents were particularly vulnerable to such crimes.

"I would encourage family members to raise this example with other older relatives or friends to raise awareness and help protect us all," Cllr Page said.