Cowboy builder jailed after £175k scam

A cowboy builder has been jailed for three-and-half years after fleecing customers out of £175,000.

Sean Allen, from Kirkby-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, targetted pensioners and hundreds were given false invoices even though the most of the work was botched.

Derby Crown Court head that Allen and brother Seamus would drive elderly customers to the bank to ensure they paid up, while others handed over money because they were afraid he would leave the job half finished. 

One 78-year-old woman was bullied into paying £18,500 for a garden redesign after she was orginally quoted £4,500.

Judge John Wait said that there was little chance of recovering any of the money as Allen had no assets.

Seamus, from Shirebrook, Derbyshire, was also jailed for 21 months for his role in the scam.