A man serving six years for fraud after carrying out bogus building work in Kent has been ordered to pay back £65,772 to an elderly victim as compensation.

In December 2008, Henry Joseph Vincent, 29, of Wagtail Way, Orpington had told a 81-year-old man, also from Orpington, that his roof needed repairs. Over four weeks, Vincent made the man pay him £72,000 for these repairs.

Arrest and conviction

Following police investigations it became apparent that the promised work had not actually been carried out and in June 2009 Vincent was arrested in London following an extensive search.

He pleaded guilty to the fraud charge and was sentenced on 30 June 2009 to six years' imprisonment by Judge Philip Statman at Maidstone Crown Court.

Confiscation order 

Vincent claimed to have spent the money on high living and drugs over a period of six months.  However, following financial investigations into Vincent Kent Police’s Serious Economic Crime Unit was able to obtain a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, allowing the recovery of cash and assets obtained by criminal activity.

A confiscation hearing was held at Maidstone Crown Court on 29 January 2010. The court ordered Vincent to pay back £65,772 within six months or a further 19 months will be added to his prison sentence.

Preying on the vulnerable

Detective Inspector Mark Fairhurst from Kent Police's Serious Economic Crime Unit said: 'The impact of bogus workmen preying on elderly victims is severe. Victims lose their confidence and feel frightened to live in their homes. Kent Police does not tolerate those who take advantage of the vulnerable in our community.'

Posted on: 4 February 2010