A CONMAN who preyed on a 72-year-old woman with a degenerative brain condition has been given a suspended prison sentence in court.

Neil Parr, 42, of Capesthorne Drive, Chorley harassed his victim, who lives alone in Newton-le-Willows to have unnecessary done at her house.

Parr cold-called the woman initially in the autumn of last year, offering to clean her driveway and went on to repeatedly harass the pensioner into having other work done at her house. All work was described as of poor quality and often unnecessary.

Suspicions were raised in September 2017 when staff at the NatWest branch in St Helens alerted authorities as the victim was about to withdraw £4,000 to pay to have her house roof painted.

Police contacted St Helens Trading Standards and together they confronted Parr and an associate at the victim’s Newton-le-Willows house.

Upon questioning it emerged that Parr had been ripping off the homeowner for a number of weeks, charging her excessive amounts for substandard work.

The woman has since been compensated in full for the money she'd paid out.

Parr was given a four-month imprisonment, suspended for two years at Liverpool Crown Court - along with 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £950 compensation to the victim and prosecution costs of £836.

Cllr Lynn Clarke, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for better neighbourhoods, said: “This is an excellent example of partners working together, the police, banks and Trading Standards, to tackle this despicable crime.

"Never agree to have work undertaken by people who just knock on your door. Always get at least three quotations and consider recommendations from family and friends.

“I’d also suggest visiting St Helens Council’s Trader Register online, or call us for an up-to-date list of reputable traders administered by St Helens Trading Standards service.”

  • Find the Trader Register at sthelens.gov.uk/traderregister or telephone 01744 676299. People who have been misled or have paid over the odds in relation to work done at home can contact Citizens Advice Consumer Help Line on 03454 040506 or on citizensadvice.org.uk.