Rogue roofer jailed after targeting 'vulnerable' elderly couple

Lyndon Pardoe targeted Leonard and Sheila Walker, who were both in their 80s, upping his original quote by more than double to almost £10,000 and then carrying out shoddy work on their roof.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Pardoe had worked on the couple's home in Netherton, Dudley, in 2013 before approaching them again a year later claiming a tile was loose on their roof. After gaining their trust, he then told them they need their whole roof replacing.

He originally quoted £3,800 for the job - which then rocketed to £9,800.

But Pardoe's sleazy operation was rumbled when the couple's daughter became suspicious of what was going on.

But by the time Trading Standards had been alerted, he had removed most of the old roof and began fitting a new one. A chartered building surveyor inspected the roof and found the work was so bad it had to be scrapped altogether

Pardoe, aged 51, of Hazledene Road, Sheldon, Birmingham, who was trading as Multicare Roofing and Building Services, was jailed for two years yesterday after being convicted of fraud and misleading and aggressive commercial practice following a trial.

Mr Walker died in August last year just six months after celebrating his diamond wedding anniversary.

Judge Julian Taylor said that while Pardoe's actions could not have directly contributed to Mr Walker's death, what happened had a huge impact on the victim in the final months of his life. The court heard he lost his appetite and became withdrawn after being conned.

Judge Taylor told him: "One of the aggravating features of this case is the effect this had on Mr and Mrs Walker. I have no doubt his final 18 months were spent concerned about what had happened.

"This was a couple who were in their 80s, they were vulnerable and Mr Pardoe there is evidence that you targeted them."

The judge said victims of cons often feel they are partly to blame for being tricked.

He added: "That couldn't be further from the truth. The only person responsible is you and you alone."

Speaking after the hearing, the couple's daughter Susan Sabin, who contacted Trading Standards over concerns about how much Pardoe was asking to be paid, said her parents were left feeling 'foolish and embarrassed' and she hoped that other victims of cowboy workmen would be able to come forward.

Her husband Keith added: "He was so careful with money. He couldn't understand how he had been duped. It really hit him hard."

Susan said: "We are glad he got a custodial sentence - the longer the better. We have to come to terms with it otherwise it eats away at you."