A rogue trader who conned a 95-year-old war veteran out of hundreds of pounds has been sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Jasper Smith from Rectory Lane, Banstead, who traded as Complete Property Maintenance, was also ordered to do 120 hours of community service and to pay £1,000 compensation to his victim, an RAF veteran living in Dorking.

Smith admitted an offence of fraud and one offence under consumer protection legislation when he appeared at court on Tuesday, July 15.

Redhill Magistrates’ Court heard the victim found water leaking through his bedroom ceiling in March last year and called out Smith, whose number was on a leaflet pushed through his letterbox.

Smith carried out a botched repair to the roof and then he and his accomplices persuaded the victim to have his home’s gutters replaced at an exorbitant charge.

The gang also knocked on neighbouring houses touting for work and persuaded a woman living in the same road to have some roofing and fencing work done.

One of the nearby residents, an off-duty police officer, alerted the Surrey trading standards department who sent officers around, accompanied by police officers.

An independent expert employed by Surrey trading standards examined the work carried out by Smith and his gang and found it to be of such poor quality that it needed immediate attention.

David Harmer, Surrey County Council executive member for environment, said: “This case shows how callous these conmen can be in targeting the elderly within our community and ripping them off. These criminals even drove the victim to the bank to withdraw their payment.”

Peter Denard, trading standards manager, said “This case involved the cynical exploitation of an elderly gentleman by a gang of ruthless criminals with absolutely no skills in roofing and no regard for the victims of their crimes. Throughout the investigation the offenders did everything to delay and frustrate proceedings.”

Three labourers arrested at the scene with Smith were later released without charge.