Rogue trader cold-called houses and lied about work done

A Kingswood rogue trader cold-called at the homes of vulnerable older people and lied about doing work for them.

Brett Henson, 47, of Park Road, denied fraud but was found guilty at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on July 12.

Evidence heard by magistrates included that given by the daughter of a 99-year-old woman who has since passed away.

Henson was handed an eight-week curfew order between 7pm and 7am and told to pay £485, including £150 in compensation to three victims.

South Gloucestershire Council Trading Standards team brought the case to court after receiving complaints about Henson’s doorstep activities in Kingswood and Hanham.

Henson had initially started legitimately cleaning windows, gutters and facias. But some of his customers became suspicious when he returned to their houses requesting further payment for work carried out while they were out.

He returned repeatedly to one Kingswood property, claiming to have done work on gutters and demanding payment.

On one occasion during late 2016, he claimed he had replaced an end cap on the rear guttering of the property and wanted payment, but his victim was certain that no work had been done after inspecting it.

On another occasion in February 2018, Henson was caught on a hidden camera returning to the Hanham home of a 99-year-old victim, whose suspicions he had previously aroused by taking a £20 payment from her for work he claimed he had done.

Henson argued he had previously made verbal agreements with his customers to do work on their windows and gutters, claiming they were mistaken about the work not being agreed or carried out by him.

Magistrates rejected Henson’s arguments and convicted him on the basis he had committed fraud against three victims.

'We will not tolerate dishonest traders'

The council's communities cabinet member, Councillor Rachael Hunt, said: “We strongly advise residents not to deal with doorstep traders and to only make agreements with reputable traders, never paying any money up front.

“We will not tolerate dishonest traders targeting elderly and vulnerable residents in our communities and we will work with the police to identify and prosecute these individuals.

"I urge people to report any concerns they have so they can be properly investigated and offenders can be brought to justice.”

Anyone who is suspicious about doorstep traders can report it by calling 03454 04 05 06.

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