'Despicable' cowboy builder banned from knocking on any door in UK after £300k con

A cowboy builder who fleeced elderly customers out of £300,000 has been banned from knocking on any door in the UK for business.

One judge said convicted fraudster Alan Fitzgerald, 53, was “truly despicable” after he carried out cold-calling scams.

Fitzgerald, from Raunds, Northamptonshire, has been given a court order that prohibits him from carrying out door-to-door sales anywhere in the UK.

He was jailed for six years in 2014 for conning 39 elderly victims out of £300,000 by posing as a builder.

One victim gave him £39,000, while a 94-year-old woman handed over £6,000 after being told she had asbestos in her home and would be prosecuted if she did not pay.

Fitzgerald told another victim that that her conservatory was not fitted properly and needed a box which would cost £475.

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Another victim was told by Fitzgerald that if he paid £250 to have a front porch door replaced it would be used as a show home and the victim would receive £150.

Just weeks after his release from prison, Fitzgerald went back to carrying out his scams.

He admitted ten further charges relating to exploiting the elderly out of £14,000 and was jailed in April 2020 for three years and four months after being convicted of four counts of fraud by false representation.

At the time, Judge Richard Bray said Fitzgerald's crimes were “truly despicable”.

Fitzgerald was given a criminal behaviour order (CBO) at the time, banning him from making contact with anyone in an attempt to sell them something.

He was handed the CBO at Northampton Magistrates’ Court following an application made by Northamptonshire Police, the force revealed last Friday.

It prevents him from attending any person’s home for any purpose related to the sale of any goods or service, on his behalf or on behalf of any business.

The CBO also bans him from making unsolicited calls or using any online means related to the sale of any goods or service.

If Fitzgerald breaks the terms of this order it will be considered a criminal offence.

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Chris Stevens, said: “The criminal behaviour repeatedly demonstrated by Alan Fitzgerald means that this CBO was issued against him meaning that he cannot attempt to sell goods or services to anyone.

“By issuing details of the order along with his photograph, we’re able to make members of the public aware of the restrictions imposed, and ask anyone who sees Fitzgerald breaking the terms of this CBO to report it immediately to us by calling 101 so we can take further action.”