A pair of fraudsters who targeted the vulnerable and elderly in Surrey have been jailed after a probe by Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards.

James Smith (28) and Timothy Draper Smith (52), who traded as James Gutters and Roofing Ltd between August 2017 and February 2019, were both handed prison sentences after swindling some £178,000 from their victims.

The funds have since been paid back to their victims, two of whom lived in Surrey, as compensation.

In a statement announcing the sentencing, a spokesperson for Surrey County Council (SCC) described the pair's actions in further detail:

"Once at the properties, the duo would use a series of unlawful and coercive sales techniques to convince the vulnerable householders to agree to have works carried out.

"These included causing a need for repair works to be carried out, and starting work before an agreement had been reached, in order to create a sense of obligation to have the works carried out.

"They would then dramatically overcharge for the works," the statement read.

Surrey Comet: The pair "dramatically overcharged" residents for the work they carried out. The pair "dramatically overcharged" residents for the work they carried out.

Smith received a sentence of 36 months, whilst Draper-Smith was sentenced to 31 months.

At the sentencing last week (January 20), Judge Sheridan thanked the Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards for the way they went about this investigation.

"I am quite certain that the victims will find themselves indebted to them and to the prosecution in this matter," he said.

Denise Turner Stewart, Cabinet Member for Communities on SCC, added: "To deliberately target vulnerable residents in this way and scam them out of thousands of pounds is despicable and totally unacceptable.

"We are pleased both Mr Smith and Mr Draper-Smith have got the punishment they deserve, and we are very grateful to our Trading Standards officers for their extremely thorough work on this investigation."