Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There’s little that annoys me more than crooks who prey on older, vulnerable people.
Those who read my column in last Saturday’s i will recall the story of the unscrupulous estate agent who tricked an 88-year-old suffering from dementia into selling his home for almost half its value.
This week a similar story has come to light, with the victim a 67-year-old widow called Josephine Stubbings. She wanted some work done on her Berkhamsted house so turned to the Yellow Pages to find a builder.
Sadly she rang one who then befriended her so he could trick her out of her life savings, a court was told. John Jenkins, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was accused of theft and fraud by false representation.
Mrs Stubbings lived a frugal existence, the court heard, but through clever investments made by herself and her late husband, had managed to salt away more than £500,000.
But only three years after contacting Jenkins, 70, she had nothing left. He had taken the lot by persuading her to do more and more work on her home and vastly overcharging her for it.
Shockingly her plight only came to light after she was forced to ask a neighbour to borrow some money to buy food.
The police became involved and examined six bank accounts belonging to Jenkins. They found the widow had paid the builder a total of £530,000. A surveyor later calculated that the value of the work done at her home should have cost no more than £60,000.
Jenkins was found guilty of fraud at St Albans Crown Court on Monday. But he could not be sentenced because he failed to appear. Reports suggest he may have fled the country.
There’s nothing positive that comes out of this sickening tale. But it reinforces the need for greater protection for older people. There should be tougher regulation and stronger consumer protection laws.
When Jenkins is eventually sentenced, it must be a severe one to warn all scumbags and chancers to stop targeting and victimising old folk.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments