A PLYMOUTH builder has been jailed after he admitted trying to con two elderly customers out of thousands of pounds.
Ambrose Reilly, aged 48, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to two counts of unfair commercial practices relating to work including roofing, rendering and laying driveways between 2019 and 2020.
The court heard how Reilly, whose address given at his first court appearance was Ridge Road, Plympton, had targeted two elderly customers who were both considered to be vulnerable. One of them was registered blind. Prosecutor Judith Constable explained how Reilly had been the sole director of Protect A Coat Ltd, which was dissolved in 2022.
She explained how, in September 2019, the home of an elderly man in Whittingham Street, Plymouth, was cold-called by Reilly with an offer to carry out painting work. She said Reilly and another man took advantage of the man’s vulnerability – as he was registered blind – to get him to agree to more work, including painting front and rear walls and repairing walls.
The contract had an agreed cash price of £2,500 and the man was urged to give a deposit of £300. The court heard that the next day another man arrived and began hammering the render off outside walls.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ford doubt for England's autumn Tests
RUGBY UNION England fly-half George Ford suffered a torn thigh muscle during Sale's 45-26 Gallagher Premiership defeat to Saracens.
Argyle acquit themselves well but pay the penalty in narrow loss to Burnley
WAYNE Rooney described as 'a little bit harsh' the penalty from which Burnley scored the goal to beat his Plymouth Argyle side 1-0 at Turf Moor.
Victorious Kellond keen to pursue Boxing career
PLYMOUTH teenager Mackenzie Kellond took the Western Counties Boxing Championship last weekend after he gave his opponent a standing eight count with just seconds to spare in Cheltenham.
Jones facing a pitch battle at World Cup
AMY Jones admits the conditions at the Women's T20 World Cup will challenge her as a wicketkeeper.
Sir Keir 'wants to make Brexit work'
SIR Keir Starmer promised a \"pragmatic, sensible\" approach to the UK-EU relationship in order to \"make Brexit work\", as he held talks in Brussels yesterday.
Taxi driver in fear after attack
PASSENGERS ALLEDGEDLY ASSAULTED DRIVER AND STOLE CASH
Crane needed as lorry gets stuck in lane
LORRY WAS THERE FOR THREE DAYS
Car park spots blocked over erosion worry
A POPULAR beauty spot near Plymouth has lost a number of parking spaces after concerns were raised about erosion.
Plastic fantastic in school contest
CONTEST COULD NET SCHOOL A BRAND NEW PLAYGROUND
AI cameras set to detect A386 traffic offences
SEATBELT AND MOBILE PHONE USERS BEWARE