Mansfield Woodhouse doorstep criminal jailed after conning two elderly women out of thousands of pounds

John Paul Allen, 23 of Park Hall Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, pleaded guilty to four offences at Nottingham Crown Court today (Tuesday 18 September) and Nottinghamshire County Council's Trading Standards led on the prosecution.

Allen cold called a 78-year-old lady living in Warsop between April and May 2016 telling her that she had some tiles loose on her roof.

It was agreed that he would replace her whole roof and carry out some work to an outside wall for £9,000 cash, which was found to be unnecessary and never completed.

She said: “I strongly feel Mr Allen knew full well myself and my husband were elderly and that my husband suffered with vascular dementia and I believe he intended to take full advantage of us and our vulnerability. At the time I was my husband’s sole carer and it all got very much on top of me.

“We have lost all of our life savings due to Mr Allen and his actions, he completely bled us dry. It has made me sick to my teeth what he did to us and the worry he might have done it to others who are in a similar position to me.”

He also targeted a 91-year-old Mansfield lady in April 2017 for roof repairs costing £3,800 which were also not carried out.

Councillor Gordon Wheeler, Vice-Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities and Place Committee, said: “Allen heartlessly targeted very vulnerable people and ran off with thousands of pounds for work that wasn’t even needed and was never completed.

“We urge everyone to say no to all doorstep callers no matter what they are selling or offering to reduce your chances of being a victim of a scam.”

To sign up to the ‘Friends Against Scams’ scheme visit its website at www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk

Scam victims should report their experience to Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.