A SERIAL fraudster who conned a pensioner got a shock when he turned up at his victim’s door – and was met by police.

Anthony Jarrett visited the 88-year-old woman’s home on four occasions last month after tricking her into agreeing to pay more than £700 for a painting job.

The work itself was worth in the region of just £120, but eyeing an opportunity to take advantage, Jarrett decided to prey on the elderly victim’s unassuming nature.

He even persuaded her to drive him to a supermarket where he used her bank card to withdraw cash. In total, he stole more than £900 of her savings over a three-day period.

After the victim’s nephew discovered her dwindling funds, police were called and found a makeshift receipt inside the woman’s South Tyneside home titled AJ Services.

Suspecting serial fraudster Jarrett was the likely culprit, officers hatched a plan and attended the woman’s home early the following day to try to catch the criminal red-handed.

When the 43-year-old crook knocked at the door, he was surprised to be greeted by police and was swiftly placed in handcuffs.

Jarrett, of Hudson Road, Sunderland, went on to admit fraud by false representation and was sentenced to two years in jail following a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Emma Martin, of Northumbria Police, said: “Anthony Jarrett is somebody who is well known to police and had only been released from prison four weeks earlier for similar fraud offences when he targeted this woman.

“He knowingly and willingly targeted a vulnerable member of the public, tricking her into handing over an extortionate amount of her hard-earned savings."

In February last year, Jarrett received a 20-month custodial term after admitting five counts of fraud by false representation.