FATHER and son rogue roofers have been sentenced in court after targeting elderly and vulnerable residents including a retired homeowner in Redditch.

Jason William Jones, of Worcester Road, Stourport, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to three offences under the Fraud Act 2006.

Hi son, Jason Frederick Jones, of Power Station Road, Stourport, was given an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, with 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days after also admitting to three offences under the Fraud Act 2006.

The pair, who traded as J & J Roofing, along with employee Simon Harris, also of Worcester Road, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Harris was given an 18-month community order with 90 hours of unpaid work.

In May 2019 the trio cold-called three neighbouring properties in Stourbridge and persuaded the owners to have roofing work completed that they did not need, which consisted of cleaning and painting their roof tiles.

Following an anonymous complaint alleging that elderly people were being targeted in the area, Dudley Council’s trading standards team investigated and found the defendants still at one of the properties. They advised the trader to stop the work and not to contact the owners of the three properties again.

Despite this, in August 2019, Jones senior returned to all three properties and told them the trading standards investigation had been completed and they each owed £1,000 for work done. One of the victims handed over a cheque for £1,000.

In August 2019 they also cold called a retired homeowner in Redditch and said there was weed growing from her chimney and it needed to be repointed, and ridge tiles made safe. They also cleaned her roof, despite her asking them not to. When she visited her bank to transfer the money, she was advised to contact police, and the case was then passed to Worcester Council’s trading standards team.

At no point were any of the victims provided with information from the defendants about their cancellation rights.

Following a joint prosecution by Dudley and Worcester councils, the three were sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on November 7.

Jason William Jones was also ordered to pay £7,250 compensation to each of the four victims and £20,000 court costs.

Criminal Behaviour Orders were made against Jones senior and junior prohibiting them from cold calling, carrying out work without a written quote, carrying out work before 14 days after a written quote is provided and also instructing anyone else to do any of these three acts on their behalf. Both pleaded guilty to one offence under the Fraud Act in relation to the Worcestershire victim.

Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health ay Dudley Council, said: “This is another excellent example of our trading standards team working to protect residents from rogue traders.

“This prosecution should be a reminder we will not hesitate to take action against dishonest traders who prey on residents and think they are beyond the law.”