Rogue roofer from Weymouth preyed on vulnerable elderly women

Weymouth man Frenny William Thomas Jordan aggressively pressured a 67-year-old woman into withdrawing £1,700 in November 2018 and failed to provide a right to cancel following three days of work at her home in rural Dorset, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

The court also heard how in January 2019, Jordan completed four days of work on a 94-year-old woman's roof, where he quoted £250 - but after additional advisories, the defendant later charged the victim £1,500 with no right to cancel.

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Bournemouth Crown Court. Picture BNPS

When investigated by trading standards officers, Jordan, aged 60, of Wyke Road, claimed the additional costs were to pay for scaffolding, which was later discovered to be false.

The defendant admitted four counts of engaging in misleading commercial practice, and the use of a false instrument with the intent for it to be accepted as genuine. These offences were between November 2018 and January 2019.

Prosecutor Edward Elton said: "The defendant runs Ultimate Roofing & Building, and he initially quoted the first victim in November 2018 at £180 for repairs to guttering and replacement of a water butt.

"She was happy with the quote and work began.

"While at the address, Jordan, along with two colleagues, said work was also needed on the roof's cement verge and ridge tiles, but failed to provide a quote.

"Following three days of work, Jordan charged the victim £1,700.

"In response, the victim said 'you have got to be joking’. The defendant just stared at her.

"She explained that she couldn't drive to the bank due to an injury. The defendant then said 'give me the car keys and I’ll take you to the bank’.

"Not giving her time to digest the amount, she agreed and he drove her to the bank where she paid him.

"Following payment, he then gave her a right of cancel after she paid in cash, but he had likely did this to cover his tracks.

"The first victim rang him a week later because the gutters were leaking. He said he would return, but he didn’t.

"An expert surveyor was sent to the home and said the work was valued at no more than £450. Jordan said the extra cost was to erect scaffolding, but it was confirmed no scaffolding was put up at the site.

"The second victim was a 94-year-old woman from Weymouth.

"She wanted her wooden roof frame replacing. The work took four days, during which she was told a cost of £250 was needed to replace felt on the porch. She was not given a right to cancel and was quoted £1,500.

"A surveyor came to the site and said the felt on the porch had not been replaced.

"The victim said she felt 'stupid' for being duped by a 'rogue trader'.

"She also said she felt at risk in her own home. She said that she now pretends to be her husband when dealing with builders, and fears the rogue trader will come to her home."

The court heard how Jordan had previous offences of not providing right to cancellations in 2011.

Mitigating Richard Tutt said: "He’s a 60-year-old man and seven years had elapsed since his previous offence in 2011, which shows he’s perfectly capable of not offending.

"He’s remorseful and admits his behaviour is not acceptable.

"He has suffered from anxiety and depression for 20 years, along with an overuse of alcohol to black those problems out.

"He races pigeons and has 250 of them, which takes up two hours of his day.

"He is now winding down his building business and wants to become an HGV driver. He has also repaid the two elderly victims."

Recorder Richard Mawhinney said: "The offences included engaging in an aggressive commercial practice and using a false instrument to try and persuade money was spent on scaffolding.

"The aggressive nature of staring at the first victim made her feel pressured to pay.

"The aggressive behaviour is disturbing.

"The second victim, who was in her 90s, has now lost confident and trust in people, and she was worried you might return. There is a significant impact on the victim.

"The offences of failing provide a right to cancel are similar to those offences in 2011.

"There is a high level of culpability to more than one victim, which were vulnerable. I doubt you would have tried these tactics on someone younger and more robust."

Jordan was given a 42-week prison sentence - suspended for 12 months.

He must also complete 150 hours of community service.

He must also pay £5,546 court costs, after initially electing the case to go to trial. He must pay the amount in 12 months.