A CONMAN who, with his father, duped elderly people into paying thousands of pounds for dodgy home improvements is behind bars.

Terry Green will spend 18 months in a young offenders institution for over-charging vulnerable residents for inept work which should have been a fraction of the cost.

The 20-year-old, of no fixed address, was found guilty of three charges under the Fraud Act 2006 and four charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

His father William Green, 48, of Berriedale Drive, Sompting, is due to be sentenced in August after a jury found him guilty of two fraud charges and one under consumer protection laws.

The pair were prosecuted after two elderly victims were found to have been substantially overcharged for the unsatisfactory work.

One victim paid £7,500 in 2015 for roofing work that was worth between £250 and £300. Another handed over £3,600 in 2015 for driveway work worth £600.

Both conmen were convicted at Worthing Magistrates’ Court following an investigation by West Sussex Trading Standards. The victims were commended by magistrates for helping with the investigation.

Trading Standards started investigating the two men in June 2015 after consumer complaints.

David Barling, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “These rogue traders have behaved despicably in exploiting elderly, innocent consumers.

“This ruling sends out a strong message to any unscrupulous traders that we will find out and we will take action.”

Richard Sargeant, from West Sussex Trading Standards, said: “Both William and Terry Green frightened victims by claiming their properties were in a dangerous state and needed work.”

A financial investigation into the proceeds of their crimes is under way.