Cousins jailed for gardening work fraud

Two cousins who conned a vulnerable 93-year-old woman by overcharging for gardening work have been jailed.

Tristan Price, 19, and Jack Price, 20, both of Tolney Lane, Newark, pleaded guilty to fraud at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Mrs Sarah Mills said Tristan Price made five attempts to persuade the woman, from Bilborough, to hire them for gardening work on April 18 this year.

A CCTV camera installed at the house showed the woman handing over an unidentified item. In response, Jack Price told her it was not enough and that she owed him £400.

The woman was unsure how much she had given, but her daughter later estimated it was £400, based on how much she had left.

Tristan Price admitted a second count of fraud in that he demanded a grossly excessive sum of money for unnecessary work completed in a separate incident.

The court heard a Bilborough couple in their 80s and another unidentified man had been approached by Tristan Price.

The couple eventually agreed to have two branches cut off a tree and were quoted £155.

Tristan Price was told not to cut back a second tree, but branches were trimmed from both and the fee increased to £600.

“The couple did not want any trouble and paid the amount with £500 in cash from their savings,” Mrs Mills said.

The court was told the other £100 was paid by cheque.

'This was a very vulnerable and elderly lady'

Tristan Price was sentenced to 40 weeks for the two offences, while Jack Price received 15 weeks for one count of fraud. Both men were also ordered to pay £115 costs.

Miss Emma Wyborn, defending Tristan Price, said: “At the time he was only 18 and had passed his driving test a week before and this was his first week of work.

“It is fair to say he is a fairly naive and young 18-year-old. He is someone who is suggestible and does not have a fully rounded experience in life.

“Going around and asking for particular prices which were over-inflated, he may not have realised the impact they were having.”

Mr Neil Sullivan, defending Jack Price, said he had not been present when the work at the Bilborough woman’s home had been negotiated and was remorseful about his part in the incident.

As she sentenced Jack Price, presiding magistrate Mrs Susan Edwards said: “This was a very vulnerable and elderly lady. This was a very mean act.

“If you have been working as a gardener since the age of 16, you knew what the going rate should have been.”

Sentencing Tristan Price, Mrs Edwards said: “You went back five times to get the money and she [the victim] became very distressed.

“With the couple, they were so distressed and wanted to get rid of you and even went to the bank to receive £100 so they could make up the money.”