A rogue trader who ripped off an elderly Petts Wood couple has been ordered to pay them compensation.

James Doyle, of Essex, distributed leaflets around Petts Wood advertising his business Elite Tree Services in April last year.

A couple, 84 and 76, contacted Doyle and arranged a visit to get a quote for some gardening work.

Doyle gave them a verbal estimate of £2,500 to tidy the garden and lay some Astroturf.

He informed the couple a £1,500 deposit was needed to buy materials.

They withdrew the money from their bank and handed it to one of Doyle’s workmen, but Doyle never returned to carry out the work nor were any materials ever provided.

MORE TOP STORIES After an investigation by Trading Standard and Bromley Police, it was discovered the flyers displayed a false address and the phone number was unregistered.

They tracked him down piecing together other trading names and numbers, and Doyle was later picked out of an id parade by the victims.

Doyle pleaded guilty at Bexley Magistrates to fraud by false representation, and the judge noted he had seen an opportunity to take advantage of the elderly couple.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation, prosecution cost and a victim surcharge.

A restraining order was also imposed.

Executive councillor for public protection and community safety, Kate Lymer, said: “The evidence against him was overwhelming leaving no option but to plead guilty to this offence.

“It is essential that robust action is taking against ‘rogue traders’ to safeguard vulnerable members of our community.”