A window cleaner conned a 91-year-old woman out of thousands of pounds by offering to carry out repairs, and then didn’t bother to do all the work.

Karl Travis, 31, offered to do extra jobs at his victim’s home but was paid £4,500 for work that was either of a poor standard or had not been carried out at all.

His victim has since died, and never saw him brought to justice.

The offences were committed in Oak Drive, Higham, between June and November 2013.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Travis had received a number of cheques after offering to repair the woman’s roof and guttering, as well as to place paving slabs in the back garden of her home.

He was arrested on Sunday, June 8, 2014 after concerns were raised with Kent Police, and a subsequent visit to the address by Trading Standards officers found that no work had been carried out on the roof or guttering. The quality of the paving in the garden was assessed as being poor.

Travis, of Kingsley Wood Drive in Eltham, London, was charged with fraud by false representation and pleaded guilty. He has now been jailed for a year.

Investigating officer PC Andrew Simpson said: “Karl Travis did not have the skill or desire to carry out the work he was paid for, and his only intention was to trick a vulnerable woman into giving him a significant sum of money that he was not entitled to.

“Sadly the victim in this case died before the case reached court and will never be repaid what was lost. However, I hope the prison sentence imposed on Travis is of some comfort to her family, who have been very supportive throughout the investigation.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to be wary of anyone who offers to carry out work on your home, no matter how friendly they may appear.

"It is always worth receiving several quotes from different companies if you are considering any repairs.”