A CALLOUS trader has been ordered to pay almost £5,000 in fines and costs after trying to con a terminally ill woman. Edwin Jones, trading as E and J Property Maintenance of Walter Scott Road, Bedworth appeared at Rugby Magistrates Court in March in a prosecution brought by Warwickshire Trading Standards Service. He pleaded guilty to two counts of making misleading statements regarding work to the roof of a property and one count of failing to give cancellation rights. The court heard that the case was investigated after a resident told officers from Trading Standards she was concerned her next door neighbour, who lived in a smartly presented bungalow in south Warwickshire, was being misled about work required to her property. Investigations revealed that Jones had cold-called at the property and obtained work jet washing, sanding and sealing the drive and patio, charging £480. But Jones had not provided written cancellation rights as required by law and had begun the work immediately. This was despite being advised of this requirement by Trading Standards officers in person, by phone and in writing following two separate incidents in the preceding six months. While agreeing to let Jones undertake the work, the occupant of the bungalow told him she was terminally ill with cancer and did not know how long she had left to live. After completing the original work at the bungalow, Jones inspected the roof and told her he thought it was rotten, that the soffits bowed downwards, that this had been caused by rainwater getting in and if it was not fixed within the next 12 months, it would cause serious damage to the property. He also said that the gable end of the bungalow required re-pointing. But expert evidence from a chartered building surveyor on behalf of Trading Standards confirmed there was no evidence that such work was required. Because of the poor health of the householder, Warwickshire Trading Standards sought the assistance of Warwickshire Police to interview the witness using special measures to video record her testimony to ensure her evidence could be made available to the court. Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, portfolio holder fro community protection, said: “The prosecution sends out a strong message to traders who take advantage of the vulnerable.” | 
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