Two rogue traders who scammed elderly victims out of thousands in Greenwich for unnecessary building work have been ordered to pay back more than £100,000.

Sonny Maughan and Emmanuel Scarrott told vulnerable people in Greenwich, Longfield and Herne Bay that they needed repairs on their roofs and chimneys.

However, the work was not needed, and the pair would often cause damage to the properties during their “substandard handiwork” whilst charging extortionate prices.

In a separate fraud, Scarrott approached a homeowner in Lordswood, Kent claiming to be a police officer investigating rogue traders.

He told the victim that he could get a refund, provided that he paid money up front for legal representation and VAT.

The victim’s family became suspicious and contacted Kent Police.

Police then listened to phone calls in which the victim was pressured to pay more money.

In November 2020, 31-year-old Maughan and 32-year-old Scarrott were arrested.

The pair later admitted conspiracy to commit fraud and were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court in February 2022.

Maughan, formerly of Brakefield Road, Gravesend, was jailed for five years whilst Scarrott, formerly of Hovefields Avenue, Basildon, was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

Maughan was ordered to repay £100,000 and Scarrott was previously ordered to repay £12,000.

This money will be returned to the banks that refunded their victims.

Detective Inspector David Godfrey said: “Rogue traders like Maughan and Scarrott mercilessly prey on the elderly and vulnerable to defraud them of the savings they have earned over their lifetimes.

“We won't stop working to bring such people to justice and, as in this case, see them jailed for their crimes.

“Just as important though is that criminals are prevented from profiting from such offences and I am pleased our financial investigators have managed to recoup a large chunk of money in this case.”