Garden scam costs couple £17,000

A disabled couple have been left almost penniless after bogus tradesmen swindled them out of £17,000.

Kevin and Wendy Parry were cold-called at their bungalow in Coalville, Leicestershire, and agreed to have the garden landscaped for easy access.

But six months later both areas have been left strewn with rubble and the Parrys are struggling to pay bills.

Trading standards officers said a vulnerable couple had been treated in a callous and deceitful way. The Parrys had asked for a concreted area at the front of their house and decking with a patio at the rear.

But apart from a small area of paving and a new fence, the garden has been left strewn with rubbish, rubble and cement bags. Mr Parry said: "We are gutted really. It is a bit upsetting for me and it is upsetting for the wife because she is disabled. It has left us totally skint and it has left us not able to pay any bills, we have bills to pay but we can't afford them."

A spokesman for Leicestershire Trading Standards said: "They have taken advantage of Mr Parry and his circumstances, it's appalling. What people need to do is not take snap decisions about repairs and maintenance. If it is a legitimate trader they will wait while you get quotes, they will wait while you assess what they job is and then they will come back and do the job for you."

The Parrys are unable to get any of their money back as no record was kept of what plan was agreed or work done.