The court heard how the 22-member criminal operation “abused the trust” of victims who were often elderly or vulnerable
Many of the victims were cold-called (file image)
Five members of a 22-person criminal operation that persuaded homeowners from Yorkshire, Teesside, North Lincolnshire and Northumberland to pay vastly inflated prices for unnecessary or poor-quality roofing and building work have been sentenced to prison terms. Two members of the group were given suspended sentences and a further 14 defendants are yet to be sentenced.
Michael Olssen, 38, of Richmond Road, Hessle, Hull was given four years and 11 months in jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday. The longest jail sentence was given to Frederick Finney, 48, of Bickerton, West Yorkshire. He was jailed for six years and nine months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property. Finney was one of the architects of the conspiracy while his wife, Carla Finney, 48, of Hillfield Close, Seamer, laundered the money for him.
The network extracted well over £1 million from victims for unnecessary, poor-quality and grossly overpriced work between May 2021 and August 2024. The sentences follow a major investigation by the National Trading Standards Yorkshire and Humber Regional Investigation Team.
The conspiracy had 43 proven victims, from Northumberland through County Durham, Teesside and Yorkshire to Lincolnshire. Trading Standards officers also uncovered an extensive money laundering network used to move and disguise victims’ money through numerous bank accounts.
The fraud typically began with homeowners being cold called and approached about relatively small jobs, such as clearing gutters or replacing a roof tile. Once work began, they would be told that much more extensive and urgent repairs were required, with prices rapidly escalating into thousands or tens of thousands of pounds. The criminal network deliberately targeted vulnerable people, including those who were older, isolated or living with ill health.
Frederick Finney used a network of money launderers to receive and move victims’ money. This network included his wife, Carla Finney, who was described by prosecutors as a prolific money launderer who operated 14 bank accounts through which £381,152 linked to the conspiracy was identified. She was sentenced to five years’ immediate imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.
Among those targeted was a woman in her late 70s from New Marske, North Yorkshire, who was cold-called by Finney and initially agreed to repairs to her garage roof. She was subsequently persuaded that her main roof needed replacing and, over the following year, paid £94,700. A chartered building surveyor later found the work had been carried out very badly and valued it at just £3,107.
In Sheffield, a woman of a similar age was repeatedly targeted by the rogue traders while her husband was terminally ill and following his death. She was later cold-called by Finney, using the name “James”, who returned with flowers and chocolates, called her his “nicest customer” and assured her he “wouldn’t take advantage of her or scam her”. In total, she paid £133,400 for work later valued at £3,350.
North Lincolnshire man Christopher Morley, 36, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment suspended for two years at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property. Andrew Carty, 37, of Normanby, Scunthorpe, was sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property.
Shannon Finney, 22, of Hillfield Close, Seamer, North Yorkshire was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years after being convicted of conspiracy to convert criminal property. Allan Smith, 36, of Gainford, Birtley, Gateshead was given a 12 months jail sentence, suspended for two years after pleading guilty to two fraud offences and converting criminal property.
The judge, HHJ Kidd, said it was “difficult to see a more aggravated case” of offending than that of Frederick Finney.
Lord Bichard, chair of National Trading Standards, said: “These offenders deliberately targeted people who were isolated, unwell or grieving. They abused their trust and took life-changing sums of money, before trying to hide the proceeds through an extensive network of bank accounts. This was calculated criminality that caused serious financial and emotional harm.
“If you are concerned about work being offered on your doorstep, do not feel pressured into agreeing to work or making an immediate payment. Anyone who believes they or someone they know may have been targeted by a rogue trader should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.”
Further defendants connected with the wider operation are due to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court this week.
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