An "evil" conman who posed as a devout Christian to trick 18 elderly people out of Ј8,000 has been jailed for four-and-a-half years. Tudor Davies, 46, of Llanelli, targeted homes in the south Wales valleys as he was already trusted by many victims.
He pleaded guilty to 22 counts of fraud, most of them taking money for building repairs he did not carry out.
Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Patrick Curran QC said Davies's persistence was an aggravating factor.
He said: "These were truly mean, utterly calculable and, frankly, evil, offences."
The court heard that from October 2006 until June this year, Davies "cold-called" on a number of elderly or vulnerable householders offering to carry out repairs or renovation works.
Lee Reynolds, prosecuting, explained how Davies used the good reputation of his brother's respectable firm to gain people's trust, even though Davies had set up on his own.
Mr Reynolds said Davies developed a pattern of emphasising his Christian beliefs and family connections to win people's trust.
A woman from Ferndale, Rhondda, in her late 70s, who had already used Davies for various work at her home, lost the Ј1,060 Davies took as a deposit. He quoted to fit a new kitchen roof, render a chimney, replace lead work and fit a new roof membrane
"He was very smartly dressed in a suit, he repeatedly claimed he was a Christian and he had a very pleasant manner. He made the complainant feel very relaxed and she trusted him," said Mr Reynolds.
Half of his 18 victims were in their 70s, and four in their 80s, with the eldest 86, the court heard.
He refused to take cheques and drove several of his victims to the bank so they could withdraw cash for him. One woman who was "very moved" after Davies referred to her late husband withdrew Ј580.
Another victim, a retired miner in his 60s in Ferndale, lost Ј2,020. Two people were falsely promised quick returns on their money if they made a "chance-in-a-lifetime" investment in his company.
Trading standards Stephen Rees, defending, said Davies accepted he faced immediate custody as the age of his victims was an aggravating factor.
Mr Rees said: "He did not know how old the occupants would be - some of them were in their 60s."
Davies operated mainly in Ferndale, Aberdare, Tonypandy, Cilfynydd, Pontypridd and was prosecuted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's trading standards department. One offence was in Neath.
Judge Curran accepted that Davies had suffered in his personal life after a fire at his flat destroyed his belongings. He was also separated from his partner and their two young children.
But he said the court had a duty to protect elderly and vulnerable people from "fraudsmen like yourself".
Davies appeared by video-link from Swansea Prison. He had spent 150 days on remand, which will be taken into account.
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