A ROGUE builder has been jailed for 18 months for fleecing a vulnerable pensioner out of £15,000 for "worthless" repairs to her home.

The 66-year-old Ben Rhydding woman, who is partially deaf, handed over big cash sums for work on the roof, guttering and driveway at her home, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

The "repairs" were so bad that a professional builder called in by the police to put a true value on them said they were worth nothing.

Prosecutor David McGonigal said Nathaniel Evans was the frontman for a team of cowboy builders travelling Yorkshire targeting elderly and vulnerable householders.

Evans, 23, of Prevan Place, Chester, pleaded guilty to three offences of fraud, totalling £20,000, between August and October last year.

Mr McGonigal said the team gave out leaflets and went cold calling in a white van.

The first two victims were pensioners from the Harrogate area.

A 78-year-old man recovering from heart surgery was ripped off for roofing work.

Mr McGonigal said he paid out £2,000 for a job that should have cost £350.

A 75-year-old woman gave the team £3,000 for jobs that should have cost £885.

The court heard she complained that the gang was painting her roof in the rain. They said it was "special paint" that did not run but it was washed off in the downpour.

The pensioner from Ben Rhydding was the biggest loser after Evans approached her on October 16, giving a false name.

She paid out such large sums of cash that staff at her bank became concerned and contacted the police.

A reputable builder who assessed the work done at her home described it as "not fit for purpose."

Evans was arrested after his fingerprints were found on receipts he had given out for the building work.

He made no comment when interviewed by the police.

The court heard he had no previous convictions and acted out of desperation when his wife was pregnant and he wanted money.

He fell prey to more sophisticated criminals who had not been caught and deeply regretted his involvement.

Judge David Hatton QC told Evans: "You extracted money from three elderly and vulnerable victims. The sums were far in excess of the value of any work that was carried out, and some had no value at all."