A CONMAN from Mid Cheshire who preyed on the elderly and infirm has been jailed for three and a half years.

John Boy Hamer's tactics were described as 'sickening' when, last Thursday, a court banned him from calling at any home in the UK offering services when he leaves prison.

Hamer, 31, was arrested in a raid on his home at the Travellers Rest caravan site in Rilshaw Lane, Winsford, by Cheshire police and Trading Standards officers.

Chester Crown Court heard he had cold-called five elderly residents in Winsford, Chester, Tarvin and Tarporley, claiming their houses were in need of maintenance and demanding cash payments on the spot.

Hamer admitted three charges of obtaining money by deception between July 2005 and January 2006, and asked for a further two offences to be taken into consideration.

He conned almost £2,000 after arriving on his victims' doorsteps and claiming to spot 'faults' with their house or alleging he had been instructed by a friend or relative to carry out repair work.

In the most serious incident, he conned an 84-year-old Winsford woman out of £1,088. The pensioner was approached by Hamer in the street who offered her a lift home.

They discussed work she needed doing, and Hamer quoted her £1,800 for a tiling job. He then took her to a bank on Winsford's old High Street where she withdrew £488 and handed it over with another £600.

His four other victims - who were aged between 82 and 90 - were persuaded to part with cash only for Hamer to disappear.

The court heard how Hamer targeted infirm residents and carefully planned his crimes, pretending to know close family members and neighbours in order to gain his victims' trust.

Sentencing Hamer, Recorder Nicholas Parry said: 'This is a series of extremely serious and despicable acts that will sicken any right minded person. You deliberately targeted vulnerable, infirm, elderly people.'

The recorder imposed an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) which means upon release from prison Hamer is banned from calling on homes offering services.

Cheshire Trading Standards chief Paul McGreary said: 'Our advice is very clear - members of the public should not enter into agreements for building work or house repairs with people who cold call.'

Sgt Ian Morgan said: 'I'd like to thank everyone involved, especially the victims. Their bravery has helped us take Hamer off the streets.

'They should feel proud they have helped protect others and I hope they feel a sense of comfort now he has been punished for his crimes.'

Conman's victims attended his trial

DESPITE Nancy Kershaw and Albert Hatton needing a little help to walk into the packed courtroom, they were determined to see justice done.

One aided by a Zimmer frame and the other with a stick, they walked out of the building in a defiant mood after Winsford man John Boy Hamer, who took advantage of their vulnerability, was sent to prison for three-and-a-half years.

'When you get older you trust people because you need help. But as soon as that man had left after pushing his way into my home, I knew he had conned me,' said 82-year-old Mrs Ker-shaw. 'I felt so angry.'

On January 3, Hamer rang her doorbell, claiming her guttering needed work.

She was upset as the work had been done 18 months previously, but Hamer managed to get into the house and then claimed he had already completed the work, saying it would cost £140.

Mrs Kershaw managed to find £60 and handed it to him. She said: 'He said he'd be back for the rest of the money and he was the next day - but by that time we had called the police and my neighbours spotted his van.'

Mr Hatton, 87, said: 'He was very convincing. He said my stepson Rod, who he referred to by name, had asked him to come over and fix some of the roof tiles and that he needed payment (of £320).

'When I said I did not keep that kind of money in the house he drove me to a cashpoint and I withdrew the money. He started to drive me home but said he had run out of diesel and made me get out of the car.

'I am just glad he has been caught and I hope this is a message to anyone else who tries to play on vulnerability.'

Mrs Kershaw added: 'I can't believe he has done it to so many people but I am glad he is locked away now.'