A Nottinghamshire rogue trader has been returned to jail after flouting a court order designed to protect unsuspecting homeowners.
George Humberstone, aged 41, was jailed in 2016 after fleecing a pensioner out of nearly £40,000 for overpriced roofing work.
Whilst in jail, he was convicted of several more similar offences committed in North Yorkshire between 2014 and 2016.
In 2018, Humberstone was issued with a community behaviour order banning him from carrying out such work in the future.
The order covered building works, repairs, and maintenance in all but unoccupied new-build properties and was put in place for ten years.
Nottinghamshire Police became aware of two incidents in Huthwaite and Sutton-in-Ashfield in March and June 2022, where Humberstone cold-called customers and convinced them of the need for roofing repairs.
On the first occasion, he was one of two men to cold-call an elderly lady and offer to complete repairs for £480 in cash.
After stripping off the roof, they asked for another £2,500, followed by another £1,125 as the job neared completion.
After growing suspicious of Humberstone, the victim searched his name on the internet and became aware of his criminal past.
A second victim was approached in a similar way on 23 June 2022 and paid £550 upfront.
Police were called by the woman’s bank as she attempted to transfer a further £5,500 for the work.
Humberstone, of Shaw Lane, Lichfield, later pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, he was jailed for two years.
© westbridgfordwire.com
Detective Constable Chantelle Rose, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“As a rogue trader who deliberately targets elderly and vulnerable people, it is perhaps not surprising that this man would choose to flout a court order in this way.
“However, as he has just found out to his cost, these orders do have teeth, and the courts take a very dim view of those who think they can be ignored in this way.
“Humberstone is clearly a financial threat to older homeowners, and I am pleased he has been returned to jail.”
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