Thugs threaten Marlborough OAP after garden scam (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Thugs threaten Marlborough OAP after garden scam

8:25am Tuesday 21st April 2009 in Marlborough By Nigel Kerton

Three thugs threatened to smash a Marlborough OAP’s windows when she called police after they made an extortionate demand for £800 for 45 minutes work on her drive.

Police have not named the 78-year-old woman but said that at about 4.30pm yesterday three men called at her home with a pick up truck and offered her “some cheap gravel for her drive”.

They settled on a price of £1 a square metre and the woman told the men to go ahead with the work which took them about 45 minutes.

Insp Rod Stacy-Marks of Wiltshire police HQ control room said: “Then the men changed their tune and demanded £800 in cash.

“They were very aggressive in their attitude towards the lady and they told her they would smash the windows of her home if she did not pay up but they left when she called the police.”

Insp Stacy-Marks said the men were driving a small tipper lorry with a yellow back with the registration W667 YKM.

One of the men was about 5ft 11inches tall with short dark hair that was greased back, wearing a white shirt, beige Chino trousers and cowboy boots; the second man was described as being 6ft or slightly taller and was wearing florescent orange trousers; the third man was described as elderly, short and wearing dark clothes.

The inspector said: “We would remind people to be acutely aware of nothing being quite as it seems. If it seems a remarkable bargain then it probably isn’t and would cost you dear.

“This is not the first time people have tried this particular stunt and we would remind people to keep an eye out for their neighbours, friends and elderly relatives to make sure they are not being had over by these cruel people.”

Anyone with any information about the men or their vehicle is asked to contact Wiltshire police 0845 408 7000 or contact the confidential Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.