Rogue roofer brothers jailed for defrauding the elderly

Two brothers from Knaresborough were each sentenced to 20 months in prison at York Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiring to defraud vulnerable and elderly residents by conducting roofing and gardening work at their properties.

Shane Hooton, 24, and his brother Kofi James Hooton, 22, both of Thistle Hill, Knaresborough, traded together as One Stop Roofing and primarily cold called residents in the Harrogate area.

Between 2012 and 2015 their victims were persuaded to have unnecessary and shoddy work undertaken, were charged excessive amounts and, in the worst cases, were repeatedly visited for further work to be undertaken.

The brothers also pleaded guilty to laundering the proceeds of their offending.

Sentencing the brothers, His Honour Judge Batty QC said: "The two of you knew perfectly well that you were targeting elderly people. It was a persistent course of conduct."

He said he needed to send a message loud and clear that the targeting of elderly people was not acceptable. The age and medical conditions of the victims told their own tale.

He added: "To call it a business is a complete joke."