Regional: Prison term for rogue trader who targeted Bicester resident

A prosecution brought by Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Service has led to a rogue trader being sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
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Court news

At a previous hearing, James Joseph Dolan pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering under the Fraud Act and Proceeds of Crime Act.

The guilty pleas were in relation to him carrying out property repair and maintenance work which was unnecessary and for a grossly inflated price, at the home of a vulnerable Bicester resident.

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Trading as All Stone Home Improvements, Mr Dolan charged £4,750 for work which was carried out so poorly that it had little or no value.

In court, it was commented that these were ‘nasty offences’ and that ‘ripping off elderly people causes lots of distress, far beyond money’.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Mr Dolan was ordered to undertake 40 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and pay £1,000 in compensation to the victim.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, the deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, who also has Cabinet responsibility for the Trading Standards Service, said: “This is a great result for the County Council’s Trading Standards Service.

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“Trading Standards are working hard to tackle and deal with those who target and prey on the most vulnerable people in Oxfordshire.

“Not only was this matter brought successfully before the courts, but hopefully it will provide some level of closure for the victim and see some of their money returned.”

Jody Kerman, head of Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards praised the victim for coming forward and warned residents to be vigilant.

The Trading Standards Service, in their bid to tackle scams and doorstep crime, is encouraging people to sign up to be a Friend Against Scams or a Young Friend Against Scams at www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk.