TWO men have been jailed for repeatedly targeting elderly and vulnerable people in a series of heartless roofing frauds.

Steven Henry Loveridge, 41, and Michael Thomas Francis, 51, admitted defrauding their victims and laundering the proceeds and were imprisoned for three years and 18 months respectively.

Leeds Crown Court heard they were arrested in November 2015 after an 84-year-old woman living alone in the Thirsk area reported she had been defrauded and was forced to hand over cash to the men in the town’s Market Place.

The pair had cold called her in October 2015 and claimed they had undertaken roofing work at her home.

An expert surveyor, appointed by North Yorkshire’s Trading Standards Service, examined the alleged work and found it was not completed in a competent and workmanlike manner. He concluded the work was unfit for purpose and effectively worthless.

Further investigations revealed other victims included a 91-year-old dementia sufferer in Northallerton who was defrauded of £900.

Also targeted were three other elderly people with dementia and one with other mental health problems. They were defrauded of a total of £7,450.

After being charged with conspiracy to defraud and while on bail, Loveridge went on to target a 72- year-old woman in the Leeds area and attempted to defraud her of £2,800 in August 2016. He was charged with this and remanded in custody in November 2016.

The court was told both men, from the Thistle Hill Travellers’ Site, Knaresborough, had convictions for similar offences.

Francis was also found to have benefited from the offences by £2,660 and was ordered to pay compensation to three of the victims within 28 days. Loveridge also now faces confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to remove his assets and compensate the remaining victims in the case.

North Yorkshire’s executive member for trading standards, Councillor Chris Metcalfe, said after the sentencing: “Yet again, we see the actions of ruthless, heartless and determined offenders prey upon our most vulnerable residents.”

He added: “Their behaviour is abhorrent.”