A ROGUE trader has been sentenced to seven months in prison after he conned a vulnerable resident out of thousands of pounds.

William Green, 50, was found guilty at an appeal hearing at Lewes Crown Court following an investigation by West Sussex Trading Standards.

He overcharged an elderly victim, 95, a substantial amount for poor work he carried out and will made to pay back £3,600 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Trading Standards began investigations from June 2015 after receiving consumer complaints.

Richard Sargeant, Trading Standards Team Manager, said: “This rogue trader exploited vulnerable, elderly customers for his own gain.

“If you are considering having work undertaken, we would recommend using a Trading Standards approved ‘Buy With Confidence’ trader.”