A fraudulent builder who swindled £25,000 from vulnerable pensioners has been jailed for 28 months.
Patrick Coyle, aged 57 and residing on Common Edge Road in Blackpool, admitted to six charges of fraud by false representation before Preston Crown Court.
The conman operated across multiple regions, deceiving residents in Bispham, Lytham, Blackpool, Oldham and North Wales through his bogus construction services.
His scheme involved accepting advance payments for building repairs that he subsequently abandoned or never commenced.
The court heard how Coyle specifically sought out elderly and vulnerable individuals as targets for his fraudulent activities.
Today’s sentencing brings an end to his campaign of deception that left multiple victims financially and emotionally damaged.
Coyle portrayed himself as a legitimate tradesman whilst systematically defrauding homeowners who required property maintenance.
His modus operandi involved requesting upfront deposits for construction projects before either delivering substandard work or disappearing entirely without beginning the promised repairs.
Coyle specifically sought out elderly and vulnerable individuals as targets for his fraudulent activities
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LANCASHIRE POLICE
The fraudster’s victims spanned a wide geographical area, encompassing communities throughout Lancashire, parts of Greater Manchester and regions of North Wales.
Police investigations revealed that Coyle deliberately selected customers who were particularly susceptible to exploitation, focusing on older residents and those experiencing personal difficulties.
The total sum extracted from his six identified victims reached £25,000 through this pattern of deception.
Each case followed a similar blueprint where Coyle would assess properties, provide quotations for necessary work, collect payment and then fail to fulfil his contractual obligations.
The extent of Coyle’s greed became apparent when he presented one homeowner with an estimate of £9,000 for wall repairs, prompting the incredulous victim to enquire whether “the bricks were made of pure gold”.
Victims told of the emotional toll of Coyle’s deception, expressing they felt betrayed and experienced persistent anxiety following their experiences.
Several individuals reported developing trust issues after falling prey to the fraudster’s schemes.
One particularly distressing case involved a woman whose circumstances Coyle deliberately exploited, knowing her husband was terminally ill at the time.
The conman capitalised on her vulnerability during this traumatic period to extract money for non-existent building work.
Police confirmed that multiple victims described lasting psychological effects from their encounters with Coyle, beyond the immediate financial losses they suffered.
During sentencing, Recorder Fiona Clancy condemned Coyle’s actions as “calculated and shameful”, reflecting the deliberate nature of his targeting strategy.
Detective Constable Jim Hall from Lancashire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit expressed satisfaction with the custodial sentence handed down today.
“Coyle’s behaviour is absolutely despicable,” DC Hall stated following the proceedings.
“In targeting his victims, he has preyed on mainly elderly or vulnerable people and exploited them for his own personal financial gain.”
The detective said the prison term represented appropriate justice for Coyle’s systematic exploitation of those least able to protect themselves from such schemes.
“I welcome the custodial sentence given to him today,” DC Hall concluded.