A cold caller scammed a pensioner out of £11,000 after promising to fix her roof, a court heard.
Fraudster Jimmy Smith, 25, knocked on the door of a 78-year-old woman in Paignton and agreed to remove moss. He then told her the roof was badly in need of repair and persuaded her to hand over more cash.
But once he had the money in his pocket he didn't return and blew it on drink and drugs.
Police tracked him down to West Sussex after forensically examining tools he left at the house.
Smith pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud by false representation. He appeared at Exeter Crown Court and was given a suspended prison sentence with £600 compensation.
The offence happened in October 2023. Smith attended the home of the pensioner and she agreed to moss-removal.
He returned the next day with two other men and said the roof was badly in need of repair. He quoted her £9,000 and said he needed money up front. He later asked for another £2,000 for scaffolding.
The men did some minor work before leaving and never returning, leaving brushes, buckets and tools behind.
Smith was tracked down in 2025 to his address in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. He initially pretended he wasn't responsible but eventually admitted his guilt.
He wrote a letter of apology to the judge, has autism, ADHD, dyslexia and mild learning disabilities. He's on long-term sick, lives on Universal Credit and can't afford to pay the money back. He is supported by his family and the local church.
The victim described herself in a statement as quite a nervous person and is worried about the men returning. One of her neighbours, a builder, said the work should have cost about £1,000.
Judge David Evans told Smith he had taken advantage of an elderly woman and he was sceptical about his 'glimmer of remorse'.
Smith was sentenced to 34 weeks suspended for 18 months.
Doorstep Roofer Defrauds Pensioner of £11,000