A suspected rogue trader who is accused of masterminding a scam where the home of an elderly Warrenpoint lady was deliberately damaged in an attempt to get her to hand over £6,000 for roof repairs, has been ordered to remain in custody.
Twenty three year old Charles Ward, from County Tyrone, denies charges of fraud by false representation, possessing leaflets, identity badges and invoices in connection with fraud, and acting as a pedlar without a certificate. He also faces further charges of failing to give a consumer notice of their right to cancel, and engaging in aggressive and misleading commercial practice.
Ward is alleged to have been part of a three-man gang who called at the Warrenpoint home of the 81-year-old dementia sufferer and her 95 year old husband on July 29th.
The prosecution claimed Ward tried to pressure the pensioner into having roof tiles replaced and power-washing carried out, increasing the price from £1600 to £3000 initially, before adding another £3,000 to the costs, claiming that further damage had been found on the roof.
The woman then allegedly received a series of phone calls seeking payment for the power-washing services.
Ward and one of his co-accused were arrested when they returned to her home on August 1, after being alerted by the woman’s son.
The High Court in Belfast was told that an independent evaluator assessed the work carried out as coming nowhere near the prices quoted.
The prosecution also claimed CCTV footage appeared to show men physically removing roof tiles.
Bail was opposed on the grounds that Ward had just been released from custody on July 27 for the same type of alleged fraud offences against an elderly woman in Bangor.
Ward strenuously denies the charges, with his defence counsel suggesting the case could come down to a contractual dispute.
Refusing bail, Mr Justice O’Hara held there was a risk of further offending and cited the need to “protect the vulnerable and elderly”.