A rogue trader who preyed on vulnerable older residents in Buckinghamshire has been given a 30-month prison sentence after conning his victims out of more than £93,500.
Thomas Patrick Sweeney, a 43-year-old from Marsh Lane in Bishopstone, pleaded guilty to home improvement fraud at Aylesbury Crown Court on 21 March 2023. The Judge observed that the unnecessary work was not only overcharged, but the work done was 'abysmal' and priced extortionately.
During the sentencing hearing, the court heard how Sweeney, who initially cold called at his victims' property, conned them out of large amounts of money by targeting them and making them believe – wrongly – that they needed extensive roof and chimney improvement works to their High Wycombe home.
The defendant was sentenced for fraud, including by grossly overcharging for work.
In total, the victims paid a total of £93,500 in cheque payments towards the amounts sought by the defendant, which totalled £110,600.
Council prosecutes three local shopkeepers in crackdown on trading standards offences
Vandals damage equipment worth more than £11,000 in Princes Risborough Park
Live Facial Recognition vans in Aylesbury
Bucks Mind offering fully funded Mental Health First Aid training
Aylesbury United Legends Day
Witness appeal following a robbery and sexual assault in Aylesbury
Council successfully gains injunction against unlawful development in Ashley Green
Applications Now Open for Angels’ Den 2026
