Five rogue traders were sentenced to a total of 19 years imprisonment today after tricking elderly householders into paying thousands for shoddy or unnecessary work.

David Evans, 57, his two sons Buddy and Shannon Evans, Patrick Maughan, and Stephen Maloney, all in their 20s, took £190,000 from vulnerable residents.

The men, who lived at traveller sites in South Cerney and Gloucester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud between 2003 and 2008.

The gang selected old people who were vulnerable but who had significant savings, telling them that repairs needed to be carried out on their homes.

The “improvements” were typically done badly or for grossly inflated prices.

They returned to the properties several times for extra money, with many of the 11 victims who signed off cheques confused about the prices and the alleged faults.

One victim, in Dursley, was targeted because of an alleged block in her guttering, but the men claimed to have identified further problems.

She was eventually persuaded to hand over in excess of £25,000.

Those affected came from all over Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.

In Gloucestershire, there were six victims, aged between 81 and 94, living in Cheltenham, Dursley, Newent, Gloucester and Stroud, who handed over sums ranging from £14,000 to £66,000.

There were further victims in South Gloucestershire, aged between 58 and 87, living in the Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath areas, who paid between £15 and more than £15,000 for work.

All five offenders appeared at Bristol Crown Court today for sentence. David Evans was jailed for six years and four months, Buddy Evans, 29, for five years and six months, Shannon Evans, 21, for three years and seven months, and Patrick Maughan, 22, for two years and six months.

Stephen Maloney, who recently turned 21, was sentenced to 13 months in a Young Offenders Institution.

Officer in the case Det Sgt Jon Williams, of Gloucestershire Police, said: “Today’s sentence shows clearly that rogue traders will not escape justice simply by crossing borders. The success of this case is due to co-operation between Gloucestershire Police, Avon and Somerset Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Although the victims collectively lost a large sum of money to this group, the defendants' finances are being thoroughly investigated under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“The message to remember when it comes to cold-callers is simple – If in Doubt, Keep them out.”

DC Dai Nicholas, from Avon and Somerset Police's Priority Crime Team, added: "All of the officers involved in this case, from both forces, would like to personally thank the witnesses in this case. Many of them are elderly and vulnerable but showed extreme courage and determination to bring this matter to a successful conclusion."

Artifice Crime Officer, DC Leigh Bickerdyke, from Gloucestershire Police, added: “This group were relentless in their targeting of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“They visited victims throughout our region and misled them into having unnecessary work carried out on their homes. The work was grossly overcharged causing the victims to part with large sums of their savings. Often the work was of such poor quality that it required further corrective work to be carried out.

“They took advantage of the kindness and trust given to them by each of the victims. It is with great regret and sadness that not all of the victims are with us today to see these despicable characters brought to justice.

“I can only hope that this case raises the awareness of such criminals and enables the public to feel confident in contacting police and trading standards with potential 'rogue traders'.”

Gloucestershire and Avon and Somerset police would like to advise the public of the following methods to prevent them from becoming a victim of rogue trader crime:-

1. Never accept work from a cold call visit

2. Get company details, including phone number, address and business director

3. Get a written quote for any proposed work

4. Seek further quotes from other companies before agreeing to any work.

5. Request references of satisfied customers for each of the companies you have obtained quotes from. You could even arrange a visit to see the work.

6. Remember consumers are entitled to a seven-day cooling off period before any work should be carried out.

7. If you have any concerns about someone who has cold-called at your home offering to do work, please call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or police in Gloucestershire on (0845 090 1234) or Avon and Somerset on 0845 456 7000.