A man who targeted elderly and vulnerable pensioners, including one aged 98, in a series of fraudulent schemes has been jailed. Rennie Price, 53, of Cwrt Neville in Wern, Llanelli, appeared at Swansea Crown Court via video link from Swansea prison for sentencing after pleading guilty to 11 counts of fraud.
The court heard how between February and May this year, Price visited the homes of elderly people in the Neath area, claiming he had carried out work on their properties and demanding payment. The offending was described in court as a 'despicable' spree, and Price was branded a 'conman' by the judge.
The Fraudulent Campaign
Price's first victim was 79-year-old Maureen Hughes, who he approached on February 26, demanding £120 for work he claimed to have completed on her house. He accompanied her to the post office, where she withdrew the money and gave it to him. Ms Hughes reported the matter to police after her neighbour confirmed no work had been done.
On May 12, Price targeted 85-year-old Trevor Thomas, charging him £250 for repairing roof tiles that were never fixed. Mr Thomas later reported the incident at Neath police station. Another victim, a man in his seventies, was offered guttering and roof tile repairs for £120, but refused further demands and closed the door.
On May 14, Price approached 87-year-old Anne Clark near a bank, pretending to know her and claiming she owed him £120 for work. She refused, and he walked away. Gwynfor Hughes, 79, was next on May 20, paying £140 for work that was never done after Price warned him to stay inside due to 'chemicals'.
Impact on Victims
Two days later, Joyce Thomas, 82, was charged £240 for urgent roof work that was not needed, leaving her feeling 'stressed, worried and scared' in her own home. Susan Baker, 69, was targeted on May 23, but refused to pay after questioning the claim; she has since kept her doors locked. David Lewis, in his eighties, declined to pay for asbestos removal that was not carried out.
Dennis Hathaway, 89, paid £60 for roof repairs that never happened, and John Pritchard-Jones, 98, was approached on May 26 and gave £40 after Price pointed to scaffolding as evidence of work. Diane Dark, 77, was the final victim on May 27, but reported the matter after a neighbour confirmed he was working alone.
The court heard that a total of £2,075 was taken from eight complainants. In sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas noted Price's previous conviction for fraud in 2014, stating: 'You set out on a deliberate campaign of planned dishonesty over several weeks. It was brazen, cynical and heartless.' Price was jailed for 20 months.
