VICTIMS who were de-frauded by two rogue traders from Basildon will be paid back over £50,000 in compensation following an investigation by Essex Police's Proceeds of Crime Team.

Jack Harbour, 32 of Wellstye Green, Basildon and William Eastwood, 33 of Chelmsford Road, Wickford were convicted of four counts of fraud by false representation in March 2023. The conviction followed an investigation into the pair targeting vulnerable and elderly people for substandard building work.

Essex Police's Economic Crime Unit worked closely with Havering Trading Standards throughout the investigation which began in 2019.

Enquiries revealed that Harbour and Eastwood had conned four victims out of tens of thousands of pounds.

Following an assessment by a Trading Standards Assessor, it was revealed that the work carried out by the pair was over-charged and substandard.

After both men were arrested and charged, they pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation. On Monday, 20 March 2023, Eastwood was sentenced to three years and two months in prison. Harbour received a 14-month suspended sentence and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Following the conclusion of these proceedings, Financial Investigator Laura Mackenzie began an investigation to determine how much the pair had made from their criminal actions and attempt to confiscate this money.

Despite both men claiming that they had no assets, the investigation revealed that the available funds they had left from their criminal gains totalled £91,975.55.

A confiscation order to remove this money was applied for and ordered by the judge during a Proceeds of Crime Hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday, 14 August.

Jack Harbour must pay back £69,675.55 and William Eastwood must pay back £22,300. Both men have been given three months to pay back.

£54,171.45 will be paid back as direct compensation to the victims.

Financial Investigator Laura Mackenzie said: "Harbour and Eastwood thought they could exploit pensioners out of thousands of pounds and live a lavish lifestyle from their criminal activity. 

"They conducted unnecessary and overpriced work and often intimidated victims into paying them. On some occasions, they even drove the victims to the bank so they could withdraw money. 

"When the victims were informed that they would receive compensation they were delighted and said they never thought they would see a penny back.

"For Essex Police, getting justice often goes beyond the point of conviction and our Proceeds of Crime Team will continue to make sure that no one makes a living from a career in crime."