A LITTLEPORT conman with 19 previous convictions has been jailed after his latest victim- a 72 year old woman- picked him out at an identity parade after he had fleeced her of hundreds of pounds.

Victim Irene Hunter gave Ellis Price �750 for materials for some paving at her Essex home but he did not return and the work was never done, Chelmsford Crown Court was told.

When Price, 65, of Hale Fen, Littleport, was later arrested by police and interviewed he referred to his victim as a “silly woman.”

Sentencing him, Recorder Salid Kainth said: “It’s all too common - vulnerable and elderly targeted with a view to obtain as much money as possible. She was taken advantage of by her trust being placed in you.

“She’s had to live with it for sometime. The victim talks about increased stress, palpitations and difficulties going to friends not far from her home.”

Price pleaded guilty to stealing �750 and fraud by false representation from the woman and was given 14 months concurrent for each offence.

The court was told that Price, a father of six with a “disabled” son of 34, has been diagnosed with severe cardiac problems since the offence and is now due to have an operation.

Lynne Shirley, prosecuting, said the victim who lives alone and is registered disabled was called upon by three males including Price before he carried out three hours gardening work for which she paid him �150.

Two days later he carried out some more work for which he received the same amount and asked if there was any more identifying some brickwork. He then returned with another man, took �750 from her for materials for the new work, but then never returned.

He was arrested three months later and picked out at an ID parade.