Woman, 69, conned by builders at Oldbury home, trial told
Two builders conned a 69-year-old pensioner into having unnecessary roofing work carried out at her Oldbury home, demanding that she handed over thousands of pounds more than the repairs were worth, a court heard.
Wayne Chambers and Terry Doyle are alleged to have frightened Avril Pearsall into agreeing to have the work done by making her think her roof was unsafe. The prosecution said she was quoted £5,600 – at least £2,400 more than the repairs were worth if genuinely required.
Chambers and Doyle each face three counts of fraud, one count of engaging in a misleading commercial practice and one count of engaging in an aggressive commercial practice. Both of them deny the charges.
Opening the crown court trial at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday, Mr Mark Jackson, prosecuting, said: "She was effectively frightened into having roofing works carried out after the defendants told her that her roof tiles were unsafe and that the roof was in urgent need of repair."
Mr Jackson said Ms Pearsall approached T Doyle & Sons because she wanted two outdoor steps and a door repaired and was quoted £475.
But when Chambers arrived at her Grove Road home last March he said her roof tiles were in need of repair and could come off and smash her conservatory.
Chambers brought down a loose tile to bolster his case but analysis by experts found the tile had never come from the roof at all, Mr Jackson added.
"The prosecution case is that the tile never came from Avril Pearsall's roof at all; it was a prop brought by the defendants to dupe Avril Pearsall," said Mr Jackson.
The court heard a quote of £3,700 was given but this rose to £5,600 after additional work was added.
Police spoke to Chambers, aged 33, of Hallewell Road Edgbaston, and Doyce, 36, of Overdale Road, Quinton, at Ms Pearsall's home after she called trading standards.
Mr Jackson said that, in a police interview, the two men said Ms Pearsall was happy with the quote.
The trial continues.
