Bogus builder conned terminally ill South Cambridgeshire woman in ‘heartless and despicable crime’

A man who took more than £6,000 from a terminally ill woman as a “deposit” for building works he never even started, has been jailed.

Reece Murphy, 31, met the victim, who was in her 80s, when he responded to an advert she posted on a local trade site in August 2020.

The victim, who lived in Ickleton, South Cambridgeshire, advertised a job to install a downstairs toilet as she was struggling to use the stairs. She already had plans drawn up for the works when Murphy approached her and he claimed to be able to do the job quickly.

The victim gave Murphy £4,000 in cash he requested for materials and a further £2,325 via bank transfer.

Murphy claimed he would be back a couple of days later to complete the work, but he never turned up. The victim called him and tried to make contact through the trade site but was unsuccessful.

Fortunately, she reported the incident to police and officers managed to track Murphy down and arrest him.

Murphy, of Palmer Avenue, Bushey, Hertfordshire, eventually pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and was sentenced to six months in prison at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (November 1). He was also ordered to pay back the money to the victim’s family.

PC Charlotte Anderson-Chapman, who investigated, said: “Sadly, the victim passed away before Murphy got his day in court, but her family are pleased justice has been done.

“This was a truly heartless and despicable crime. Murphy deliberately targeted and took money from a vulnerable and terminally ill woman for vital works she needed to help her cope with her illness.

“He caused her terrible stress in the final months of her life and left her unable to get the works completed.

“I am glad justice has been done today and I hope this goes to show how seriously we take all incidents of fraud. We will work tirelessly to bring those responsible before the courts.”

For more on fraud, visit the force website.