TWO men conned a “vulnerable” pensioner into buying them luxury watches worth almost £38,000 during a 15-day campaign of harassment.

John Ward cold-called a 73-year-old woman from Southampton in October 2017 asking her if she needed any work done.

Southampton Crown Court heard how the woman told the 56-year-old from Poole that she needed some help in the garden but a final sum for the work was not agreed.

The pensioner was first asked to pay £3,000 for equipment to exterminate the rats on her property but she refused.

John’s nephew Noel, his “boss”, then spoke to the woman. He told the pensioner his son was dying of leukaemia and his last wish was to have two Rolex watches.

The victim, accompanied by Noel’s brother, Francis Ward, went to Laings jewellers at Westquay and bought two Rolex watches – an 18 carat gold Submariner and a Daytona with a mother-of-pearl face – with a total price tag of £37,800.

Daily Echo:

Afterwards the pensioner was told by the Wards that the “watches were rubbish” and she needed to buy “some more” priced £71,000.

When the woman went to her bank asking for the money to be transferred staff raised the alarm and the police were called.

Prosecuting Tom Wilkins said: “The victim had problems with her mobility and she was targeted because she was particularly vulnerable.”

Jonathan Underhill, defending John Ward, said: “He is a man who is increasingly ill now. He is a family man and he is clearly loved by his family. Prison is going to be very very difficult for him.”

Roderick Blain, who defended Noel Ward, said the 33-year-old from Chippenham was suffering from a depressive disorder.

Sentencing Judge Burrell QC said: “Through a series of tricks you managed to get her buy two watches of £38,000. The intention was to let her transfer another £71,000. You both had a leading role.”

The two, who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and converting criminal property were each sentenced to six years in prison.

Noel Ward also pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance, driving without due care and attention and breaching a suspended sentence order.

The pair, who had sold the watches on, were also ordered to pay £37,800 back to the victim.

Francis Ward, 22, from Essex, will be sentenced at a later date.

Following the sentencing, Hampshire police issued the following advice:

Door-to-door scams

Many legitimate businesses sell products door-to-door; gas, electricity and water companies need to visit to read your meters; and charities will often call seeking donations. But fraudsters may also knock on your door to part you from your money, or get into your home to steal from you.

Examples of door-to-door scams

Most door-to-door scams involve selling goods or services that are either not delivered or are very poor quality. You won’t get value for money and you may get billed for work you didn’t want or agree to.

Some scammers conduct surveys just to get your personal details or as a cover to sell you goods or services you don’t want or need, such as roofing work or patio replacement.

Unscrupulous employees sometimes still act illegally even when selling a genuine product by a genuine business. If someone knocks at your front door claiming to be from a company, first check their ID. If you’re not happy, don’t let them in.

Never call the phone number on their ID card to check them out. Ask the salesperson to wait outside, shut the door and find the company number on the internet. If they’re genuine, they’ll understand.

For more information and help or to report this and many other types of fraud, go to Action Fraud the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.