A ROGUE trader has been jailed for four months for trying to pass himself off as a skilled workman in Swindon.

William Doran, 32, pretended he was from Anglian Home Improvements to get work, when really he was an unskilled traveller with a history of crime.

Doran had a sweatshirt and jacket bearing the company's name as well as a box of leaflets, which he kept in his van, when he was arrested in late March.

The police first became involved when a 78-year-old woman went to her bank to withdraw £8,000 in cash, telling staff she needed the money as she owed builders £4,000.

Swindon Crown Court heard that concerned bank workers called the police who went to see the pensioner at her home in Blunsdon, and discovered that some amateurish painting had been done to her windows.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said: "The police made some inquiries in the area and as a result they saw the defendant's Mercedes van travelling down the High Street and in due course into a pub car park.

"The police established that the woman had received a telephone call from a man who had been doing some building work.

"That corresponded with a police officer who was watching the van seeing him on his mobile phone."

A check on the pensioner's phone showed that the last call was from Doran and his phone showed hers was the last number dialled.

The court was told that Anglian Home Improvements was a large reputable national company which knew nothing of Doran.

Doran was arrested and when he was questioned he told police that he had pretended to be from Anglian because it was the only way he could get work.

Mr Meeke said a Swindon Council workman examined the painting done by Doran, which he had charged £250 for, and said it had not been done well.

The wood had not been sanded down and filled before the paint was applied.

Doran, of Kingsdown Lane, Blunsdon, pleaded guilty to a charge of going equipped to cheat.

At an earlier hearing he was jailed for a series of offences including driving while disqualified and without insurance and handling stolen goods, which had been taken in a burglary at an elderly woman's Old Town home.

Doran had been behind bars since he was arrested in March, having first served the earlier sentence and then been on remand.

Nick Gedge, defending, said his client felt that the time in prison had done him good and given him the chance to reassess his life. He said his client had been married for 13 years and had two sons who both had learning difficulties.

Jailing him for four months, Judge Tom Longbotham said "You knew perfectly well that if they knew you weren't a skilled employee of Anglian Home Improvements you didn't stand any chance of getting the work.

"If you come back before the court for any offences involving this sort of activity, particularly targeting elderly people, you can expect a lengthy custodial sentence."

Anglian Home Improvements was not available for comment.