Two roofers have been jailed for more than five years after scamming a Chalfont St Peter couple.

James Smith, 28, and Timothy Smith, 52, were trading as James Gutters and Roofing Ltd, whose registered address was in Farnborough, between August 217 and February 2019, when they cold-called at five different houses offering to clean gutters.

The owners of each property were deliberately targeted because they were elderly and vulnerable, Buckinghamshire Council said.

One of the victims was a couple from Chalfont St Peter who the pair pressured into having work done to the tune of £2,000 – with professionals valuing the work at just £105.

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The withdrawal of £2,000 cash triggered an anti-fraud protocol which alerted the bank and then the police.

At the sentencing on Tuesday, January 20 at Aylesbury Crown Court, His Honour Judge Sheridan thanked Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards for the way they investigated, saying: “I am quite certain that the victims will find themselves indebted to them and to the prosecution in this matter.”

The pair were jailed for five-and-a-half years and also ordered to pay back a total of £178,000 of cash they got from their scams to various households in Bucks and the surrounding area.

Fred Wilson, Bucks Council’s cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “Be wary of anyone cold calling and offering large discounts on work requiring a cash payment.

“In this case the cash withdrawal alerted the authorities and this helped in reclaiming the monies.

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“We are in a time where many vulnerable residents are at home and isolated, which sadly provides an opportunity for shameless individuals preying on them.

“I urge everyone to follow our team’s advice on dealing with cold callers.”

Trading Standards advises residents not to engage with cold callers either on the doorstep or on the phone. They say:

  • Never engage with someone or allow them access to your home unless you are able to verify their authenticity and who they are.
  • As with all scams: Be sceptical, stay calm, and don’t be afraid to hang up, bin it, delete it or shut the door.

Residents can also display a no cold calling sticker by their front doors to deter visits from cold callers.

To get a sticker pack or report an incident, contact Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.