A judge who jailed a man who conned a pensioner has described details of the case as “the most dishonest evidence I have ever heard in this court in more years than I care to remember”.

Judge James O’Mahony made the remarks after Daniel Thomas, of Glebelands, Ash, was convicted of fraud at Canterbury Crown Court and sent to prison for 21 months.

The court heard Thomas, 39, had told his partially-sighted victim he needed to be paid for work which had not been carried out.

He denied the offence but was found guilty by a jury.

Simon Taylor, prosecuting, said Thomas called at his victim’s home in Sandwich and offered to clean his gutters for £15. The man let Thomas into his house and rang his brother to see if he should take up the offer – his brother said no.

A month later, on April 10, Thomas again called at the house and said he wanted payment for work that the victim’s brother had arranged to be done. He said he had completed work on the roof, replacing tiles and cleaning gutters.

While they were in the victim’s kitchen Thomas said he needed £250 for the work. The victim searched his home and found £110.

Thomas demanded that the victim go to the bank and get the rest.

They went to the bank and the victim got the money and handed it over. He asked for an invoice and Thomas refused, saying he was dyslexic and would get his wife to do one.

Three days later Thomas returned to his victim’s house and said he wanted to see other work which needed doing. The victim refused to let him in and rang the police. His brother told police that he had not arranged for any work to be carried out.

Thomas told police he had not acted dishonestly and carried out various jobs at the property as instructed by the homeowner.

In a statement the victim said the incident had left him insecure in his own property and mistrustful of strangers.

Judge O’Mahony told Thomas: “Your evidence was about the most dishonest evidence I have ever heard in this court in more years than I care to remember, both as barrister and judge.

“I have seen the victim and I have no doubt of the devastating effect this had on him.

“He is partially blind and frail and has more decency in his little finger that you have in your whole body.”