A FATHER and son rogue trading team targeted the elderly with their drive laying scam, a court has heard.

Thomas Johnson, 57, and Tommy Johnson, 29, pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court to a series of offences under the Fraud Act 2006.

The court heard how the two men used the name of a dissolved company, Nuway Surfacing Ltd, to hide their true trading identity.

The defendants fit orange lights to the top of their vehicles, as well as reflective strips often seen on legitimate highway contractors’ vehicles.

Thomas Johnson also used a meaningless identification badge that he’d issued himself to help them commit the fraud.

The Johnsons, who travelled from their home in Birtley Road, Guilford in Surrey to carry out the crimes, had victims ranging in age from 64 to 86.

Once in the South West, the Johnsons targeted and cold called a number of elderly residents across Devon, Dorset and Somerset offering to do driveway resurfacing work.

In addition to providing substandard work - a film of hot tar covered with loose chippings - the Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service found that they also charged far above the going rate for the work.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards said: “The defendants' fraudulent activities were planned in advance.

“I would like to thank the victims for their courage in agreeing to give evidence in this matter.

"Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service will continue to do all that it can to protect residents and legitimate local businesses from such illegal trading activities."

Councillor David Hall, Deputy Leader of Somerset Council said: “Rogues like this operate across county boundaries and our Trading Standards have to as well in order to deal with them effectively.

"The Devon and Somerset service is well placed to meet these challenges.”

Thomas Johnson had been previously prosecuted by Surrey Trading Standards in 2009 for offences in relation to rogue trading, the court also heard.

The Johnsons both pleaded guilty to offences relating to the fraudulent non provision of cancellation rights and the use of paperwork and other articles for use in the fraud.

They will be sentenced on Friday 2 October at Exeter Crown Court.

Anyone with concerns, or who would like advice about their rights, should telephone The Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0345 0404 506 or visit their website, www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Businesses can also find advice from the Devon and Somerset Trading Standards website, or call 01392 381381.