A ROGUE trader who targeted a vulnerable, elderly man in his 80s in Hollywood has been forced to repay the thousands of pounds he stole.

David Boswell, aged 37 of Birmingham Road, Pathlow, near Stratford-upon-Avon, has been made to pay back £7,650 by West Mercia Police using legislation from the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002).

In January 2009, Boswell was doing gardening work for a homeowner in Hollywood when he was approached by a neighbour, who was in his 80s, and asked to remove two small conifer trees from his garden.

Boswell cut down the trees and left the stumps, promising to return and put poison down to kill off the roots. He continued to return to the house and persuaded his victim to have his driveway covered with tarmac as well as other work.

These visits continued over a period of several months and during that time a total of 13 cheques were given to Boswell, ranging from £200 to £1,250.

In total, cheques to the value of £7,650 were taken by Boswell, but no other work was ever carried out.

In May 2009, the elderly man's daughter overheard a conversation between her father and Boswell where she heard her father say: "I have no more money to give you; that's got to be the end of it", followed by "I can't give you anymore".

She confronted Boswell and contacted the police. Following an investigation, he was arrested in October 2009 and subsequently charged in February 2010 with 13 offences of fraud by false representation amounting to £7,650.

In September 2010, at Worcester Crown Court, Boswell pleaded guilty to all charges and on November 3 2010 he appeared at Hereford Crown Court to be sentenced to 48 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, a supervision order for 18 months and 180 hours unpaid work.

Financial investigator at West Mercia Police Mark Bancroft said: "David Boswell targeted a vulnerable elderly victim over a lengthy period of time and stole almost £8,000 from him.

"Following his conviction, and during the subsequent confiscation proceedings he denied having any assets of any nature. However, through financial investigation we were able to identify sufficient assets to ask the court to make a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

"It is very satisfying to know that because of this effective legislation, not only has Boswell been convicted, he has also been forced to return all of his ill-gotten gains, or face a further custodial sentence.

"He has now paid back £7,650 along with interest of £130.39, every penny of which will be returned to his victim. I hope it eases the distress the gentleman has suffered at the hands of this callous rogue trader."