Chester rogue traders Gary Lancaster and Neil Butler jailed after fleecing dementia sufferer

Aug 13 2009 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

TRADING standards officers have advised the elderly and vulnerable on how they can avoid becoming victims of work scams.

Their advice comes after two men were sentenced to a total 16 months imprisonment after fleecing a dementia sufferer of more than £6,300.

Gary Lancaster, 28, of Windsor Drive, Broughton, and Neil Butler, 44, of Darlington Crescent, Saughall, spent weeks at Muriel Minshull’s Cambrian Avenue home in Vicars Cross, scamming her for work they weren’t carrying out.

Chester Crown Court heard a sickening account of how Butler, who was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, frog marched Mrs Minshull, who ‘didn’t know what day of the week it was’ to her bank to withdraw funds.

Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards regulatory services manager Vanessa Griffiths said: “I am delighted that the judge, in imposing custodial sentences, took a strong view of the defendants’ despicable activities and hope that the sentences will serve as a deterrent to others.

“Cheshire West and Chester’s Trading Standards service is committed to its campaign against doorstep crime and will continue to use all the means at its disposal.

“In this case, the vigilance of the victim’s neighbour led directly to these two defendants being brought to justice and demonstrated a community spirit that was rightly recognised by the court.”

Neighbour Pat Catherall, who created the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Cambrian Avenue, was given a court commendation and £250 for his efforts in capturing the pair at the scene, leading to the conviction.

“It is a priority area for us,” added Vanessa.

“I wouldn’t say cases are on the rise but a certain level is being maintained. We have had a huge awareness campaign and the number of incidents did increase in response to that.

“Since then numbers of incidents have reduced, we like to think that this sort of crime is becoming a no-go area and the criminals are displacing in to other areas.

“If we get a report we aim to get there within the hour. One of the things we are doing a lot of work with other areas of the council, those who come in to contact with the vulnerable or elderly, social services, community wardens, carers and PCSOs.

“The scam starts with a cold call, turning up uninvited, these people will always request cash, no cheques or card payments. They will say a price and that price will change, £50 for the driveway could become £50 per square metre.

“They will target houses that look like they need work doing, overgrown gardens or messy driveways, where elderly people might be living. People do become repeat victims if they are known as a target. We don’t want to scare people, we just want to make them more aware.

“Do not do business with people who call unsolicited. Do not say yes. Go out and get quotes from two or three business and make sure they have a premises.”