Bringing William Smith and his accomplices to justice involved a two year investigation by Thanet detectives, led by Det Sgt Tristan Kluibenschadl.

Working with specialist fraud investigators, the team uncovered 43 people who had been duped by the gang and identified at least 30 more through bank records who were either too frail, embarassed or fearful to want to give evidence in court.

The rogue builders operated under the name of B Smith and Sons and falsely claimed they were members of the Guild of Master Craftsmen.

The gang would select, intimidate and worry elderly and vulnerable victims, sometimes having clambered on to roofs and damaged tiles, guttering or chimney stacks befopre knocking on the door of the property and offering to carry out the repair or run the risk of the house being condemned. Often, they would find other 'problems’.

Work was carried out even when they were asked to stop by homeowners.

Rather than repairing properties, the gang sometimes made them potentyially dangerous to secure guaranteed work, charging thousands for work that unnecessary, substandard or not completed. They even continued operations while on bail, brancing into gardening to boost their income.

The case spans January 2003 to September 2007 and the builders travelled across Kent, Surrey and south east London, building up criminal benefits of £2.4 million.

Preparations are now being made for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in December to recover the money and hopefully returning it to the victims.

Shocking

DS Kluibenschadl said: “The group sought out elderly and vulnerable people and exploited them in the most shocking way, using scare tactics to ensure they parted with their lilfe savings in many cases.

“Anybody tricked by this group should not feel feel foolish or embarassed. They were organised and cunning men who, without any respect for the people they visited, built up a weighty fortune through their trickery and lies.

“It is satisfying to have brought this case to court when criminals of this nature often elude capture.

“The advice is not to use builders who cold call. Use reputable firms with a proven track record. I would like to thank all those people who helped us throughout this investigation.”