Builders jailed after defrauding Ystalyfera pensioners out of life savings
Two men have been sentenced to prison after admitting to a calculated fraud that left a retired couple in Ystalyfera thousands of pounds out of pocket and living in a stripped bungalow.
Joseph Ellis, 21, of Basildon, and Dave McEvoy, 51, of Cardiff, were each jailed for two years and three months at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation.
The pair posed as roofers from Trustwise Roofing Ltd, initially quoting £1,000 for a simple roof clean. But once work began, they falsely claimed the tiles were damaged and demanded more money each time they visited. The charges escalated to thousands of pounds for supposed roof and wall repairs, until the couple’s savings were drained and their bungalow left half‑roofed and exposed to the elements.
By July 2024, the fraudsters had swindled £33,200 from the victims and even tried to persuade them to remortgage their home to release equity.
Forensic evidence and fast arrests
South Wales Police tracked McEvoy using a Nissan van seen at the property, arresting him in Penarth on July 23. A Lucozade bottle found in the van linked Ellis to the crime through forensic analysis.
Financial records showed the victims’ payments were funnelled through Ellis’s account before being withdrawn in cash by McEvoy.
The couple’s bank later reimbursed the stolen money, but they were still left £5,000 out of pocket for emergency repairs. Local roofers stepped in to make the property weatherproof at no charge.
An inspector later confirmed the original roof clean should have cost only £700–£800.
Judge condemns “ruthless and cynical” fraud
Sentencing the pair, Judge Paul Thomas KC said:
“The phrase rogue traders doesn’t even begin to describe what you are.”
He condemned their deliberate targeting of vulnerable victims and their lack of remorse.
Ellis had previous convictions for burglary and possession of an imitation firearm, while McEvoy had a record including attempted vehicle theft.
Both men will serve up to half their sentences in custody before being released on licence.
Police: “No low to which they will not stoop”
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Rachel Thomas of South Wales Police said:
“Dave McEvoy and Joseph Ellis are the sort of criminals for whom there is no low to which they will not stoop.
“To target an elderly and vulnerable couple not just once, but time and time again until they had been fully relieved of their life savings, shows that these two men have a complete lack of honour and respect.
“As long as they were making more money, they didn’t care one bit about the damage they were doing to the victims’ lives.”
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