Property repair conmen fleeced £250,000 from Parkinson’s patient

The gang repeatedly victimised the pensioner, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, over an eight-year period.

Monty David Croke, 46, from Pickering, along with Monty Croke Jr, 26, Billy Croke, 23, and James Coverdale, 35, all admitted scamming householders through shoddy and unnecessary property repairs.

Other victims they targeted included a 70-year-old man who lost £12,200 and a woman in her 80s suffering from dementia who lost £18,532.

They also took £26,638 from a couple in their 80s and 90s, most of which came in just an eight-week period.

Sentencing them at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Tony Briggs said their actions had caused a considerable amount of hardship and upset.

At a previous hearing he described them as “devious, persuasive and ruthless in the pursuit of money”.

North Yorkshire County Council trading standards department, which began the investigation in October 2012, said it was the worst case of repeat victimisation it had ever encountered.

The man defrauded of £250,000, from Malton, said at one stage he had believed Croke to be his friend.

“I was completely taken in. Monty David Croke befriended me and he then betrayed my friendship. It was all one big lie,” he said.

“I hope this case serves as a warning to others about the dangers of doorstep callers and that it helps prevent others from being defrauded in the way I have been.”

His family said they were indebted to the carer who first brought the issue to the attention of the authorities.

“It is difficult to comprehend the callousness of the people who inveigle their way into the lives of vulnerable people, groom them and often leave them in dire financial difficulties,” they said.

“It was only the vigilance of our brother’s carer that uncovered this matter and brought it to the attention of the authorities. Our family is indebted to her for all her care and kindness.”

Monty David Croke was jailed for five years, Monty Croke Jnr for two and a half years, Billy Croke for 12 months and Coverdale for 15 months, suspended for two years.

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for trading standards, said: “We are sadly getting used to investigating cases of this nature in trading standards.

“But this case has been shocking and distressing, even to those of us who are hardened to this type of appalling and heartless crime.

“That offenders such as these can undertake the ruthless exploitation of vulnerable adults in this way, often for prolonged periods, is disgusting and abhorrent.”