AN ELDERLY man was intimidated into paying way over the odds for a hedge trimming service by rogue traders in Dorchester.

The victim, described as a vulnerable and elderly man, was cold-called at his home in November 2022 by a man who called himself Dan.

He lied to the victim, saying that two of his neighbours hired him to cut their hedges and had recommended he approached the victim as well.

The elderly man agreed to the service, but the trader failed to provide the legally required written cancellation rights – a key consumer protection for doorstep contracts.

After the men carried out minimal work, they then demanded £1,600 in cash.

They repeatedly harassed the man, turning up at his house on multiple occasions using misleading and aggressive tactics to push unnecessary work – claiming trees were dangerous or diseased, and that urgent action was required.

The victim, who was anxious about the supposed safety risks, then paid cash and cheques totalling £36,600.

An expert instructed by Trading Standards later assessed the total value of legitimate work at £3,500 – over 10 times less than the amount charged. The gang also left parts of the garden in a poor condition.

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A Trading Standards financial investigator traced the cheques through multiple bank accounts and identified Scott Matthew Cochrane (35) and Daniel Lee Coker (39) as the principal offenders.

Both men were later positively identified by the victim in an identity parade.

The investigation found the proceeds were laundered through third‑party accounts to disguise their origin: worker Aaron Michael Frigot (27) banked a £25,000 cheque from the victim and transferred most of the funds to Coker and to Cochrane via Penny Jayne Barney (57) (also known as Penny Jayne Small).

This layering of funds is a hallmark of money laundering designed to conceal criminal property.

At Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge Fuller KC said Barney had “laundered the money for financial gain” and “turned a blind eye” to its source.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said: “It has been two years since the men targeted me and I still remember those two weeks very well, and parts of it still haunt me.

“The actions of Daniel Coker, Scott Cochrane & Aaron Frigot have had a distinct impact on my quality of life. These men left my garden in a terrible mess. I am still concerned about the state of it today.

“Every morning when I wake up, I think of what these men did and just hope that nothing similar ever happens to me or anyone like me again, and I am fearful of being targeted again.”

Sentencing

Daniel Lee Coker was sentenced to six years seven months’ imprisonment (described by the judge as an experienced offender and on bail for other matters at the time).

Scott Matthew Cochrane was sentenced to three years seven months’ imprisonment (offending while on bail for other offences).

Penny Jayne Barney was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, with a 7pm to 7am curfew for five months and was ordered to pay £200 in compensation.

Aaron Michael Frigot was sentenced to 12 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, up to 20 hours’ rehabilitation, ordered to pay £1,500 compensation (having pleaded guilty earlier at Poole Magistrates’ Court).

Councillor Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for health and housing (including Trading Standards), said: “Our Trading Standards team will rigorously investigate offenders who prey on the elderly and vulnerable residents of Dorset.

“When traders are found to be breaking the law robust action will be taken against them.

“Never agree to work from unexpected doorstep callers. Always get written quotes and cancellation rights before work starts, and don’t be pressured by claims of immediate safety risks – seek a second opinion.

“Avoid making large cash payments and use traceable methods instead.”

To stay safe, consider using vetted traders through the Buy With Confidence scheme. For further advice, Dorset residents can contact Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848.