A DOORSTEP trickster who conned a pensioner got a shock when he turned up at the victim’s door – and was greeted by police.

Serial fraudster Anthony Jarrett attended the 88-year-old woman’s home four times earlier this month after tricking her into agreeing to pay £700 for a painting job.

The work itself was worth in the region of just £120 but Jarrett saw an opportunity to take advantage, even persuading the elderly victim to drive him to a supermarket where he used her bank card to withdraw a total of £1,290 over a four-day period.

After the victim’s nephew was alerted to the dwindling funds, police were swiftly called and soon found a makeshift receipt inside the woman’s home titled ‘AJ Services’.

Suspecting Jarrett, police attended the woman’s home early the next day and waited inside, before putting him in in handcuffs when he knocked at the door.

The 43-year-old crook had only been released from prison four weeks earlier

In February last year, Jarrett received a 20-month custodial term after admitting five counts of fraud which involved him pocketing £3,000 in deposits for gardening and construction jobs that Jarrett, of Hudson Road, Sunderland, admitted fraud by false representation when he appeared before magistrates in relation to the recent offences. He will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on November 17.