A GANG of bogus workmen who conned elderly people out of their savings have been branded ‘despicable’ by a judge.

They targeted at least four pensioners in the North-East by persuading them roofing or guttering work needed doing before fleecing them out of large sums of cash.

Newcastle Crown Court was told there was no evidence of bone fide work being carried out at all.

Three men were given immediate prison sentences by Recorder of Newcastle, Judge Paul Sloan, on Monday morning and the court heard a fourth man remains at large.

The Northern Echo:

JAILED: Scott Greathead 

Detectives believe Michael Gales, 27, of Brenda Road, Hartlepool, is in Spain having already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud.

A warrant for his arrest has been issued and he will be sentenced when he is apprehended.

The Northern Echo:

WANTED: Michael Gales

Joan Bartlett, 87, from Tunstall, Sunderland, died from her injuries months after she was pushed to the floor by one gang member as he searched her kitchen cupboards looking for money.

William Levi Gales, 44, of Borrowdale Street, Hartlepool, was charged with manslaughter, but died himself before the case got to court.

Police have said there are at least three other victims and believe there could be more.

Phillip Orton and Scott Greathead previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and Lee Davidson was convicted after a trial.

The Northern Echo:

JAILED: Lee Davidson

Judge Sloan said: “The conspiracy involved deliberately targeting vulnerable elderly victims.

“You pretended building work was needed at the homes of the victims.

“You managed to defraud at least one of your victims out of a large sum of money.

“It would seem that you had some sense of achievement and derived satisfaction from your actions, such was your warped outlook.

“You operated as a team. This was a despicable course of criminal conduct. It was planned. It was premeditated. It was wholly fraudulent enterprise.

“The victims were particularly vulnerable. Clearly, this is a case where only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”

The gang took over £27,000 from a 75-year-old former miner after telling him his home in Ryhope, Sunderland, was in need of repairs.

He made 20 cash withdrawals over 17 days between June and November in 2014.

The son of 84-year-old woman, from Hesledon, near Seaham in County Durham, intervened before she handed over any money, but a woman in her 70s from the same village handed over hundreds of pounds after she was driven to a cash machine by the gang.

Lee Davidson, 30, of Chepstow Walk, Hartlepool, was jailed for five years for his role, and his barrister, Laurie Scott, said his role was very limited and he was described as ‘the very quiet one’.

Four-of-four Phillip Orton, 54, of Windermere Road, Hartlepool, the gang’s van driver, was given a custodial sentence of three years and nine months.

Mitigating, Alex Burns, said: “He was paid in alcohol because he is an alcoholic. He was not someone who dealt with the victims.”

The Northern Echo:

JAILED: Phillip Orton

Scott Greathead, 24, of Southburn Terrace, Hartlepool, was locked up for two-and-a-half years.

His barrister, Mark Styles, told the judge Greathead had been struggling with drink and drugs, adding: “Through me, he apologises for his behaviour.”

Christopher Knox, prosecuting, told the court Mrs Bartlett, was visited in August 2014 and suffered a fractured hip and upper right arm after she was pushed.

She lay injured on the floor for ‘some time’ before the alarm was raised.

Mrs Bartlett died as a result of her injuries on November 11 that year.

The Northern Echo:

VICTIM: Joan Bartlett 

In a victim impact statement, one of her neighbours and long term friends said: “After the incident in August 2014, we would visit her in hospital but she seemed to have lost all interest in life.

“She was no longer the chatty, happy person I had come to know over the years. “Joan's death was upsetting and shocking to the whole of our community so we all came together to give her the funeral she deserved.

“This has had a huge impact on us all in the community.” The daughter of the widowed former Seaham pitman fleeced out of £27,600 said the impact on him had been ‘catastrophic’.

She said: “Up until he was targeted by these men, he was a proud, independent and hardworking man.

“It was clear that he had kept the extent of this crime a secret from his family until it was discovered.

“I feel that this was because he is a trusting man and this has been taken from him by these criminals, leaving him embarrassed and upset.

“His health has declined dramatically.

“He became isolated in his own home as he stopped answering the phone and didn't leave the house.

“It is my opinion that the actions of these criminals have contributed to his health issues and decline in mental health.

“This whole incident has devastated the life of my father and our whole family.”

Detective Inspector Dave English, who led the investigation, has praised the bravery of the victims and their families and warned that offenders will be put before the courts.

The Northern Echo:

WARNING: DI Dave English 

DI English said: “This has been a tragic case for all involved. A woman has lost her life and the other victims have lost thousands of pounds.

"It has been utterly heart-breaking for the family and friends of Joan Barnett and all the other victims.

“I'm sure many people will empathise with their loss. All families involved have remained dignified throughout this investigation and their contribution and support has been invaluable.

"Preying on vulnerable and elderly people is sickening.

“These men targeted residents across the North-East, using persuasive and aggressive techniques to urge their victims to pay them money for work that had not been carried out.

“These men were finding any excuse to get into victims' houses and in the case of Joan Barnett, this is what subsequently led to her death after she was pushed to the floor and left to suffer for hours."

"In another case, they actually drove the victim to the bank to withdraw cash. This is just one of the measures these criminals will go to.

“They have travelled all around the North-East taking advantage of vulnerable people for their own financial gain.

"I would urge anyone to be mindful of anyone who comes to your door asking for money, offering to carry out work or finding any reason to gain access to your house.

“Any genuine caller or salesperson will be happy to show you ID and return at a later date once you have been able to check their authenticity.

"We are absolutely committed to stopping these criminals and we will work tirelessly to protect those most vulnerable in our communities.

“Victims are our absolute priority and we will continue to work closely with them to help prevent repeat incidents and take action on those who commit these offences.

“These men preyed on vulnerable people and there may be other victims out there who may feel too embarrassed to come forward or haven't realised they have been targeted.

“I would urge anyone who recognises these men and believe may have fallen victim to them should contact police.”

The police non-emergency number is 101.