A roofer who took advantage of “vulnerable” people due to their age or health has been jailed for more than two years.

Simon Dooley, of Watling Street Caravan Park in St Albans, was sentenced to 27 months in prison at St Albans Crown Court last Thursday.

Dooley had pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading earlier this month.

The court heard how rogue trader Dooley, 53, operated under the name “Elite Roofing and Building” and with his colleagues cold called customers who were often “vulnerable due to their age or health”.

Dooley’s team identified a small piece of work that supposedly needed to be done before far more extensive and costly work was found.

In total, Dooley received just over £6,000 from seven consumers with £11,170 requested in total.

During sentencing, Judge Peter Rook QC said the defendant had shown remorse and taken responsibility for his actions, and that he was not in good health himself.

However, he added Dooley’s action were intimidating, demeaning, inappropriate, and caused embarrassment and mental anguish to his victims.

In addition to 27 months in prison, Dooley was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170.

The court heard Dooley had appeared before the court on 31 previous occasions, resulting in convictions for 59 offences.

Councillor Terry Hone, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Customers should be able to trust companies, rather than have them take advantage of them.

“The defendant showed a cunning disregard for the people he was trying to get work from, and we will not hesitate to take action in cases such as these.”