Rogue trader who preyed on elderly told to pay £145,000

Albert Brazil, 58, approached a pensioner in his 90s in Fareham and a man in his 80s in Gosport.

He claimed their homes needed work.

They agreed and Brazil carried out work, which was not done well.

He was jailed for two years after admitting three counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering on July 13 last year.

Now Brazil, of Amberley Close, Botley, has been told by a judge to pay back £145,000.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Scott Lymbery, from Hampshire Constabulary’s Financial Investigation Unit, said: ‘I am happy that the victims in this case, who were vastly overcharged by Brazil, will get back their money.

‘These orders were secured using the Proceeds of Crime Act.

‘The power of this legislation has been used to claw back money from a man who targeted the elderly and vulnerable for his own financial gain.

‘We will continue to use these powers to make sure convicted criminals have to literally pay for their actions.’

The judge at Portsmouth Crown Court ordered Brazil to pay back a total of £145,000.

That includes £8,561.50 to the Fareham victim and £458.50 to the Gosport victim.

Brazil must also pay £11,667.50 to a woman in her 70s in Liphook, who was also a victim of his fraud.

The rest of the confiscation order was made up of money found in Brazil’s bank accounts for which he could not provide an explanation.

Police are now giving advice to vulnerable people.

Advice issued by police includes:

n Lock: All doors, even when at home. Use a chain or spy hole

n Stop: Unknown people from entering your home.

n Tell: Police about unwanted or suspicious callers, phone 101.

Officers are warning people not to open their doors if they are unsure who the person is and to call 999 if they feel threatened.

Report crime on 101 or call the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Further information and crime prevention advice on doorstep crime is on the Hampshire police website at hampshire.police.uk/internet/news-and-appeals/campaigns/Doorstep_crime