Rogue trader who targeted elderly victims in Wisbech is jailed
Police said he was “cold and callous in his pursuit of the victims”
A rogue trader who targeted elderly victims and scammed them out of hundreds of pounds has been jailed for four years.
Darrell Gowler, 32, targeted elderly people in Wisbech over the summer, calling at their houses and offering to carry out work, including cleaning gutters and repairing roofs.
Cambs Police said Gowler charged disproportionate amounts for the work and demanded payment upfront before failing to return to complete the jobs.
A force spokesperson added: “On two occasions, Gowler even followed victims into their homes and stole purses and wallets when they weren’t looking.”
On Monday (2 December), at Peterborough Crown Court, Gowler, of Linnett Drive, Wisbech, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of dwelling burglary and two counts of fraud.
Detective Constable Tom Adams, who investigated, said: “Gowler was cold and callous in his pursuit of the victims, demanding excessive amounts for very little work.
“He took advantage of the victims’ vulnerabilities and, on two occasions, brazenly stole from them when they weren’t looking or had left the room. I am glad justice has been done today.”
For more on rogue traders, how to spot them and how to report, visit Cambridge Constabulary’s website.