A FRAUDSTER with 95 criminal convictions has been jailed for tricking an elderly couple into paying £2,280 for a packet of fish worth just £20.
Christopher Williams, 31, took advantage of the vulnerable couple, both 87, gaining their trust by spinning a lie that he had a daughter dying from leukaemia.
Now, as Williams begins a 16-month jail sentence, Humberside Police have issued hundreds of letters to homes about the dangers of bogus callers.
Prosecutor Phillip Evans told Hull Crown Court: "The defendant had been working in the Kirk Ella and Anlaby area, involved in supplying fresh fish from a van.
"He brought in a large packet of fish, even though they had only asked for a small packet.
"He took £500 as payment and then suggested that further money was required.
"The man then wrote a cheque for £1,600 but he (Williams) never gave them the cash back.
"As he was leaving, the defendant went through to the kitchen and went to the woman's purse and took £80 from it.
"He then maintained they owed him further money. In total, £2,280 was handed over by deception.
"There was some mention by the defendant of him having a child who was ill with leukaemia."
At the time of the offence Williams was on licence for burglary, in which he had targeted another elderly couple.
Police said conmen are continuing to target elderly people in East Riding villages over roof repairs and have delivered hundreds of letters to homes in Willerby, Anlaby and Kirk Ella.
PC Andy White, neighbourhood policing officer, said: "These are criminals who are targeting elderly people. The last thing we want is for people to be ripped off by these conmen.
"They know exactly what they are doing and, for those people who have fallen victim to it, it is very upsetting.
"We have distributed the letters to warn people that this is happening and to give them advice on what to do if someone calls at the door."
PC White said there were four suspected offences in six weeks, with a further two attempts.
In each offence, a man has called at a home and told the resident their roof needs repair work. PC White said they then charged "over-inflated prices".
In some cases, the man has shown a business card with a fake telephone number on.
PC White said: "Our advice to people is, if they are in any doubt, do not let people in."
Williams, originally of County Durham, pleaded guilty to theft from the house on February 27, when he appeared at Hull Crown Court.
Recorder Julian Goose QC told him: "Once you saw their age you took your opportunity and exploited their vulnerability and deceived them as to the price.
"I accept you were not intending to carry out this offence as part of that activity but when you went to the property of two elderly people with a view to selling them fish you saw the opportunity of their vulnerability.
"It is fortunate for you, through no conduct of yours, that after you left they realised they had been the subject of deception and the cheque was cancelled.
"You did get £600 and that money has never been recovered."
Williams's barrister, Stephen Robinson, said: "He is disappointed to be here. He had been doing well following his release from prison. Drugs had been a problem for him but he was determined to address that problem.
"He saw this opportunity and took advantage of it. He was disappointed in himself. He would like to offer his apology to the complainants."
