Father and Son Duo Target Vulnerable Homeowners
A ruthless father and son team who systematically targeted elderly and vulnerable residents in a series of roofing scams have been brought to justice. William Smith, 35, and his 18-year-old son Joseph deceived victims out of at least £86,000, splurging the illicit gains on luxury holidays to Dubai and Tenerife, Rolex watches, and designer clothing.
Operating under various business names including 'AAA Roofing and Property Services' and 'BSJ Roofing', the pair's modus operandi was consistent. They would provide a low initial quote for minor work, only to later claim the discovery of extensive, non-existent damage, dramatically inflating the final bill.
A Trail of Devastation and Exploitation
The extent of their callousness was starkly revealed in multiple cases investigated by Surrey Police. In one instance in Goldsworth Park, they quoted £1,730 for work but later demanded £32,000, ultimately receiving £13,800 for a job that a reputable roofer later completed for just £215.
In a particularly egregious case in March 2024, they targeted a Guildford man diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The victim had safeguarding restrictions on his bank account, a protective measure implemented by his daughter. Undeterred, Joseph Smith drove the vulnerable man to his bank to help him bypass these restrictions and withdraw £1,250 in cash.
Messages extracted from Joseph's phone laid bare their cynical attitude. One read: "Literally, I've just took the man down the bank. He got me £1500 out." Another boasted: "Me n (16-year-old defendant) might be having about 20 grand off this man."
Justice Served and Lasting Impact
Earlier this month, the Smiths were sentenced at court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud. William Smith was imprisoned for three years and nine months. His son, Joseph, received a 20-month custodial sentence in a young offender institution, suspended for 23 months.
The court heard that the criminals viewed their victims as "cash cows", with Judge Ms Recorder S Presland describing William as the "brains of the operation". Surrey Police stated that over 20 victims across Woking in Surrey and Pulborough in Sussex were identified, with an estimated further £100,000 of fraud being prevented.
Tragically, some of the victims passed away before the investigation concluded, leaving their families to deal with both their grief and the financial aftermath. One victim's impact statement revealed the profound personal cost: "It is money they took, which was going to be used for my youngest son's university, or to pay for support for my autistic son's adulthood... It has had a greater impact on my future."
Sergeant Ben Marshall of Surrey Police condemned the Smiths, stating they were "purely driven by greed without morals". A 16-year-old accomplice from Pulborough is due to be sentenced on December 17. William Smith also made headlines after being accidentally released from HMP Wandsworth on the day of his sentencing, November 3, before turning himself in after a brief manhunt.
