Doorstep ‘conman’ jailed for nine months

Brian Price, 49, from Shrewsbury who trades as BP Landscapes, was sentenced on May 12 2008, at Hereford Magistrates to nine months imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to three offences under the Fraud Act 2006.

He falsely claiming that he was a 'qualified tree surgeon' and stated that 'a tree was unsafe and needed to come down', together with two offences under Consumer Protection Legislation for failure to give consumers their cancellation rights following an unsolicited visit, commonly known as 'cold calling'.

The magistrates also imposed a 10 year 'C.R.A.S.B.O.' on Brian Price - this is an Anti Social Behaviour Order awarded on criminal conviction, which effectively prevents him from undertaking unsolicited visits to any residential premises within England and Wales relating to any of the following activities namely:-

Gardening/landscaping/tree felling or any property repairs or
maintenance, or any business of purchasing selling goods/items of any kind.

Brian Price had undertaken a number of unsolicited visits to residents within Herefordshire and Shropshire over a period spanning January to October of 2007 targeting those who were elderly and single. He claimed to be a qualified tree surgeon and undertook unnecessary and over priced tree and garden maintenance work.

The magistrates found the matters so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate stating that the public needed protection from such crime.

Mike Pigrem, Herefordshire Council's trading standards manager, said: "This was a significant case brought by Herefordshire Council's trading standards service and the first criminal 'Anti-Social Behaviour Order' that we have obtained. It will go a long way in protecting the residents of Herefordshire from the unscrupulous activities of this particular 'conman'.

"I am pleased that the Magistrates have found it appropriate to impose a custodial sentence as well as an Anti-Social Behaviour Order for this matter, as this will send out a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated within Herefordshire.

"Credit must be given to the witnesses, some of whom were very elderly and infirm who were prepared to take a stand against this individual, and who were willing to attend court and give evidence.

"I would reiterate our general advice to consumers that they should not deal with any unsolicited callers who are looking to undertake such activities as property repairs, tarmacking, block paving and gardening work etc," he added.