A 92-year-old woman, who lost £16,600 of her life savings after a cowboy builder called, has spoken of her double court ordeal to successfully bring him to justice.

Phyllis Spreadbury told the Evening press today she was feeling safe for the first time since March, 1996, knowing that conman Thomas Cawley was behind bars for three years.

Her evidence at York Crown Court was crucial in locking up the 37-year-old man for the "heartless and despicable" crime at her home that twice left her out of pocket.

First he took her money. Then, because Cawley had depleted her Halifax account, she lost out on extra shares when the former building society converted to a bank.

"I feel easier now knowing where he is," she told the Evening Press.

During the three-day trial the jury heard that Cawley claimed to be inspecting work done by another builder and asked for £4,000 for materials.

Miss Spreadbury told him to go away, but he returned that day and on other occasions.

She told the court she knew Cawley was a "rogue" all along, but had handed over her money because he frightened her so much.

"I have never met anyone nasty," she said after the court case. "I couldn't handle him."

Head of North Yorkshire trading standards, Gordon Gresty, today advised other elderly people that if someone called and tried to frighten them into handing over money, they should "slam the door and ring the police immediately."

He also called on anyone encountering cowboys builders to contact his department on 01609 780780 at once.

Judge Arthur Myerson QC said Cawley, of Southey Hall, Road, Sheffield had been convicted on "wholly overwhelming evidence" of an "extremely unpleasant" £4,000 deception offence.

He was originally charged with five offences of deception totalling £16,600, but he was acquitted on four totalling £12,600 after a legal submission by defence counsel Anthony Edie.

Detective inspector Geoff Dodd, of York CID, was full of praise for former Terry's worker Miss Spreadbury and how she handled herself in court.

"She has been a revelation," he said.

"I was mad," said Miss Spreadbury. "I was so angry and desperate."

Her anger, her family and the police sustained her during the two year delay between the crime and the trial.

"I was nervous before the crown court because there would be a judge," she said. "But once I got going it was all right."

She added that her experience as a "no nonsense" supervisor at Terry's chocolate factory helped her cope with cross-examination by Mr Edie.

She worked at the factory for 50 years.

Cawley and his lawyers unusually forced her to give evidence before the magistrates as well.

Detective Inspector Dodd said: "Miss Spreadbury has been submitted to an extremely traumatic experience that someone half her age would find terribly distressing.

"She has coped with the complexity of the court system over a number of hearings giving her evidence remarkably well."

Cawley had "lied and "lied" after he "preyed upon the good nature and infirmity of an elderly woman," but been unable to deceive the court or police, he added.

"It is a heartless and despicable crime to prey upon people who are least able to care for themselves," he added.

The court heard that Cawley paid £8,000 of Miss Spreadbury's money into his bank account. This was separate from the £4,000 he was convicted of taking.

He told the court he came by the £8,000 honestly from a traveller called John Michael Ward. But police told the court extensive searches could not locate Mr Ward.

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