A man who conned an elderly man for thousands of pounds has been jailed.

Steven Nolan, 28, from Beech Close, West Drayton, visited an 84-year-old man in Colney Heath several times to persuade him into doing £24,300 worth of unnecessary buildlng works between December 2014 and March 2016.

Nolan was jailed for 26 months for fraud on June 15 at St Albans Crown Court after admitting to the offence at an earlier hearing.

Detective Constable Sam Casey, from Herts Police's Operation Manhunt Team, said: “Nolan callously targeted an 84 year old man and repeatedly visited him under the pretence of carrying out works, which were completely unnecessary."

Nolan was arrested in Watford following reports to police about rogue trading in September 2016.

Mr Casey added that Nolan initally denied the claims and an expert witness said the value of the work done to the house was actually only £357.

He said: “Criminals like Nolan have a huge impact on their vulnerable victims who, in some cases, hand over their life savings believing they are paying for substantial works to be carried out."

To find a trader approved by Trading Standards visit the Trusted Traders website or call Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 04 05 06.