David Vincent admitted two offences of fraud relating to bogus building work at two properties in south east London
The uncle of a career criminal who was stabbed with a screwdriver in a botched burglary has been spared jail after cheating pensioners out of thousands in cash.
David Vincent, the uncle of Henry Vincent, admitted two offences of fraud relating to bogus building work at two properties in Plumstead, south east London.
A judge told the rogue trader, who has previous convictions for fraud, he had decided to 'call his bluff' to see if he could stick to his promise to put his criminal past behind him.
But Vincent, 51, has now been handed a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years.
He must also carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and be subject to a six-month tagged curfew.
Vincent, who is said to be earning 'meagre wages' as an electrician's mate, was given just six months to pay compensation totalling almost £23,000, Maidstone Crown Court heard.
Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said: 'You have pleaded guilty to two offences of fraud, rogue trader offences. Your victims were fleeced and both were elderly and lived alone. It is clear these two offences bear your particular signature.
'You maintained you had seen some sort of problem with their property which you offered to fix, resorting to a calculated form of subterfuge to support your assertions that work was required.
'What you purported to carry out was of little or no value. In my judgment it would be wrong to ignore that previous sentence and the fact you have now been released on licence.
'In the circumstances I am going to take what might be thought to be an exceptional course by allowing you to maintain your liberty.
'In taking this course, I do so after giving you credit for your guilty pleas. A prison sentence is plainly demanded but in the circumstances I am going to call your bluff and give you another chance by suspending the operation of that sentence.'
Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, was held on suspicion of murder after stabbing Vincent's nephew Henry in his home last year
One of Vincent's victims, who had lived in his home since 1938, handed over £23,000 for work costing approximately £1,000 while the other, an 88-year-old woman, was pressured into paying £700 for roof works worth nothing.
These offences, committed between October and December 2017, involved targeting victims and telling them their roofs were leaking and needed urgent repairs.
Vincent, who lives with his second wife, their children and his ageing father in Wagtail Way, Orpington, Kent, was also on bail at the time of one of the scams.
His 'calculated subterfuge' also included pouring water in various parts of the properties, and even suggesting one home was infested with rats and he had been bitten during an inspection.
Vincent was previously jailed for six years in
