Four men have been sentenced after defrauding an elderly man out of £36,600 in a Dorset doorstep scam, following an investigation by Dorset Council Trading Standards.
On November 22, 2022, the victim was cold-called by a man calling himself “Dan,” who claimed to have been hired by two neighbours to trim their hedges and recommended the victim for the same service. The victim agreed but was not given the legally required cancellation rights for doorstep contracts.
After doing minimal work, the men demanded £1,600 in cash. Over several days, they returned repeatedly, using deceptive tactics to pressure the victim into paying for unnecessary work, falsely claiming trees were dangerous or diseased. Concerned for his safety, the victim paid a total of £36,600 through cash and cheques.
An expert later valued the legitimate work at only £3,500 — over ten times less than what was charged — and noted parts of the garden were left in poor condition.
A financial investigation traced the payments through multiple accounts, revealing that Scott Matthew Cochrane, 35, and Daniel Lee Coker, 39, were the main offenders. The victim identified both men in an identity parade. The investigation also revealed that the stolen proceeds were laundered through third-party accounts, including those of Penny Jayne Barney, 57, and Aaron Michael Frigot, 27.
At Bournemouth Crown Court, Daniel Lee Coker received a sentence of six years and seven months. Scott Matthew Cochrane was sentenced to three years and seven months. Penny Jayne Barney received a 12-month suspended sentence, a curfew, and a £200 compensation order. Aaron Michael Frigot was given a 12-week suspended sentence, rehabilitation hours, and a £1,500 compensation order.
Councillor Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for health and housing, emphasized that the Trading Standards team is committed to protecting vulnerable residents and taking strong action against offenders.
