Heartless Crooks Ripped Off Pensioners for £33,200 in Ruthless Roofing Scam
Two cold-blooded conmen have been locked up for fleecing a retired couple of a staggering £33,200 in a cruel roofing scam. The scam left the vulnerable pair’s bungalow stripped bare and exposed to the harsh elements.
Joseph Ellis, 21, and Dave McEvoy, 51, faced justice at Swansea Crown Court after admitting fraud by false representation against the vulnerable pensioners in their 70s and 80s. Both were sentenced to two years and three months behind bars.
Cheap Roof Clean Turns Into a Costly Nightmare
What started as a modest £1,250 roof clean quickly spiralled into a financial disaster. Ellis’s firm, Trustwise Roofing Ltd, began power-washing the roof last summer. But that was just the start of their lies and tricks.
- They falsely claimed numerous tiles needed replacing, tacking on an extra £1,700.
- Next, they insisted the entire roof required replacing for a jaw-dropping £12,500.
- Then came claims the roof’s support beams were faulty, demanding even more expensive repairs.
With tiles ripped off and the bungalow left wide open to wind and rain, the terrified couple felt trapped. They kept coughing up cash as the pair ruthlessly drained their savings.
Bank Account Drained, Home Left Naked to the Elements
The crooked duo didn’t stop there. They demanded a mind-boggling £16,000 for supposed wall repairs, later dropping it to £13,000 after the couple’s funds ran dry.
Running out of options, the crooks even coldly advised the pensioners to remortgage their home to pay for fake fixes. Then, they walked off the job, leaving the house vulnerable and exposed.
Thankfully, some decent local roofers stepped in and made the property weatherproof—free of charge.
Shock Expose: Scam Uncovered by Independent Inspectors and DNA Evidence
An independent inspection revealed the grim truth. The original roof clean should have cost just £700-£800. Most of the so-called repairs were either unnecessary or completely fabricated to swindle cash.
Police cracked the case thanks to a Lucozade bottle found in the scammer’s van, which linked Ellis’s DNA directly to the crime. Bank transfer records showed the stolen cash was shuffled between the pair to cover their tracks.
Judge Savages ‘Rogue Traders’ with Lengthy Criminal Records
“The phrase rogue traders doesn’t even begin to describe what you are,” snarled Judge Paul Thomas KC. “Ruthless and cynical exploitation of vulnerable elderly people.”
Ellis, already serving a suspended sentence for burglary and firearm possession, had three months added for breaching it. McEvoy’s rap sheet included attempted vehicle theft. Neither showed any remorse.
Despite plea deals, both men were sentenced to 27 months in prison, with half the sentence to be served behind bars before possible early release.
Police Warn Vulnerable Homeowners: Don’t Get Scammed!
South Wales Police are urging homeowners to beware rogue tradespeople. Always get multiple quotes, check credentials carefully, and never pay large sums upfront.
Elderly homeowners are advised to seek help from family or trusted friends before hiring tradespeople.
This case sends a strong warning: scammers targeting the elderly and vulnerable will be caught and face justice.
