A cowboy builder has admitted conning an elderly man out of thousands of pounds.

Patrick Carty, 22 of Wandsworth, pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on June 19 to fraud by misinterpretation.

He also admitted assaulting two police officers.

A 77-year-old man from Plumstead paid Carty more than £21,000 of his life savings for work to his home that was not needed.

Police claimed Carty painted red bricks with black paint and said the work would solve his damp problems.

A Barclays employee, who had noticed large amounts of money being withdrawn by the elderly victim, alerted police as she became suspicious.

Police also believe Carty requested that one of his friends should inherit the victim's house in his will.

On April 26 officers were at the victim's address when Carty arrived to collect his latest payment. The officers were assaulted by him.

Carty was breaching an Asbo for previous fraud offences, under which he was not allowed to carry out building work.

He will be sentenced on August 11.