A FRAUDSTER has been ordered to pay compensation to his victims and received a suspended prison sentence.

Samuel Pentland, 23, of Selby, appeared before York Crown Court and pleaded guilty to four offences of fraud after cold calling at homes around the town offering to do maintenance work for cash.

The court heard he took the cash from vulnerable victims – a 75-year-old man, a 49-year-old man, and a 71-year-old woman – but failed to carry out the maintenance work. North Yorkshire Police appealed for information about the crimes last August, and members of the public contacted them with details which led to his arrest.

PC Nicola Gill said: “We had a fantastic response to this appeal from members of the public. I would like to thank everyone who got in touch and helped us with our inquiries which led to the arrest of Samuel Pentland.

“Pentland is a cruel and dishonest man who has been brought to justice, and the public of Selby helped us to do that. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people to be vigilant against cold callers. You should always check the identity of anyone who calls at your door if you do not know who they are.

“Legitimate tradespeople will wear identification badges and will not ask for cash in advance of doing any work.”

Pentland was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, to repay the money to his victims – totalling £195 – and a restraining order that prevents him from being within 100 metres of his most vulnerable victim, or contacting them by any means.