A TRADER who who tried to charge a Carterton pensioner £13,600 for roof repair work that was not needed has been ordered to pay compensation.

John Watson also received a four month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months at Oxford Crown Court today, Oxfordshire County Council said.

The 39-year-old claimed that the felt on a house in Oakfield Road needed mending, but a jury was told that a surveyor who later inspected his work concluded none of it was required.

The victim had given Watson, of Bedmond Road, Abbotts Langley, Hertfordshire, a £13,600 cheque, which was cancelled before it was cashed.

Watson was found guilty of fraud and a commercial practice charge relating to him stating that the roof felt needed replacing and has been told to pay £1,500 compensation.

Anu Prashar, of Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards team, who prosecuted Watson, said: "Watson tried to prey on an elderly person for thousands of pounds for work that was not required - I am pleased that the judge recognised the severity of his offences by imposing the sentence that he did and by ordering Watson to pay compensation.”

Watson was acquitted of three other charges which related to commercial practice. 

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