By RESHMA KARIA PENSIONER William Heaton was charged £5,000 for a £350 job done by cowboy builders. And he only kept hold of his life savings thanks to the quick thinking of a suspicious manager at his local bank.

A court heard this week how 79-year-old Mr Heaton was tricked by builder Tommy Boswell who visited his home in Victoria Street, Ramsbottom, two weeks after Mrs Heaton died.

It was in November 1997 and 21-year-old Boswell, of Fernhill Caravan Park, Bury, and two of his mates offered to do plastering work at the house.

Mr Heaton, who is unable to walk without the aid of sticks and is heavily reliant on his wheelchair, says he was an easy target.

He said after the trial at Manchester Crown Court: "They started to pester me about doing some work. At first I said no but they wouldn't leave me alone. They called at least three or four times a week and it went on for ages. I had just lost my wife and I was in no state to be bothered with building work."

But eventually Mr Heaton was persuaded to let them do a simple plastering job for which he was quoted £30.

"They carried out the work and then told me that I would need other jobs done. They said I would need the steps at the front of my house rebuilding."

The builders did the work without Mr Heaton's permission and then charged him £5,000 for a job which a professional surveyor told the court would have cost £350. "I told them that I did not have that kind of money in the house. I gave them £1,000 and then they asked to see my bank book. I told them that it was none of their business. I was starting to feel very uncomfortable."

The builders then took Mr Heaton to the TSB in Ramsbottom where they told him to withdraw a further £3,300.

But branch manager Sally-Ann Leach got suspicious when Mr Heaton attempted to withdraw his life savings. She asked Boswell for a written estimate for the work.

"She went out to talk to the builders and noticed that their van did not have any markings, not something you would expect from reputable builders," recalled Mr Heaton.

The workmen presented a fake estimate after visiting a nearby printers and then took Mr Heaton back to his bungalow.

In the meantime Mrs Leach had alerted the police who arrested the men when they returned to Mr Heaton's home.

"It has been a very terrifying ordeal and I am very grateful to Mrs Leach. She saved me a lot of money," said Mr Heaton, who admits the experience has made him very wary of people.

"I was lucky, but what about those people who haven't been as fortunate? I just hope people can learn from my experience."

Boswell, who denied obtaining the £1,000 by deception and attempting to obtain a further £3,300 by deception was found guilty yesterday at Minshull Street Crown Court. He was bailed until March 12 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

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