A ROGUE trader who is accused of targeting a vulnerable woman with memory issues shouted at magistrates as he left court in protest at being handed a fine.

Gary John Cooper, 53, approached his 85-year-old victim in Bulford and offered to paint her garden fence.

The elderly woman, Eileen Stone, handed over £50 but then went to the bank for a further £700, to pay for what she believed was the full cost of the job.

But a quick-thinking bank manager alerted the police to the suspected scam and stopped Mrs Stone from withdrawing the rest of the money.

Yesterday at Salisbury magistrates’ court Cooper was handed a £400 fine and ordered to pay £552.57 to Wiltshire Council in court costs.

After receiving his sentence Cooper shouted: “You can take me to court or send me to prison, [but] I am not paying Wiltshire Council.”

The court heard that on March 8 last year Cooper, of Odstock Road, Salisbury, and two other men had driven to Bulford to buy a car but when the meeting fell through the trio went to Mrs Stone’s home.

Prosecuting, Yvonne Bennett said Mrs Stone was “vulnerable and subject to scams in the past” and had memory issues.

“She has assist rails at the front door so it was clear an elderly person lives there,” Mrs Bennett said.

Cooper and the other men offered to carry out painting work for her, she then paid them £50 and went to Nationwide Bank in Amesbury for more money.

“Mrs Stone said some men had come to her home and were still there painting her fence and she needed £700 to pay them.”

Mrs Bennett said police were called and PC Brunt went to Mrs Stone’s home.

“Cooper told PC Brunt that he had taken £50 from Mrs Stone and she had gone to the bank for a further £25,” Mrs Bennett added.

“It is not possible to solve that discrepancy as no information about the price had been given at the time.”

In interview Cooper said he had no idea where Mrs Stone got the idea that the price for the job was over £700.

The court heard that Cooper used to run a scrap metal business but his former partner used to deal with paperwork.

When they divorced the business “went down the hole with it” because he was “not a paperwork man”.

Defending, Nick Redhead said Cooper had not given Mrs Stone information on the right to cancel the contract as he thought he only needed to supply the contract for work over the £75 quoted, instead of the statutory £42.

But in court Cooper admitted failing to provide the required information in relation to an off-premises contract.

“He has some idea what was required," Mr Redhead added.

"It is possible Mr Cooper thought it was £75 but he personally was not getting £75 as the other two were given a share. He knew full well that it was below the statutory limit.”

Magistrate Nigel Livesey said the Coopers' crime was “misrepresentation” on a victim who was vulnerable but “gratuitously was supported by bank staff”.

Mr Livesey added that Cooper had “full responsibly” when dealing with vulnerable people.