Trading Standards probe sees two jailed, two handed suspended terms for £36,600 fraud

A gang of rogue traders who defrauded a vulnerable elderly man in Dorchester out of £36,600 has been convicted following an investigation led by Dorset Council’s Trading Standards service.

On 22 November 2022, the victim was cold‑called at home by a man calling himself “Dan”, who falsely claimed that two neighbours had hired him to cut their hedges and had recommended he approach the victim as well.

The victim agreed to hedge trimming, but the trader failed to provide the legally required written cancellation rights, a key consumer protection for doorstep contracts.

After carrying out minimal work, the men demanded £1,600 in cash. Over the following days they repeatedly returned, using misleading and aggressive tactics to push unnecessary work - claiming trees were dangerous or diseased, and that urgent action was required.

The victim, anxious about supposed safety risks, paid a series of cash and cheque payments totalling £36,600. An expert instructed by Trading Standards later assessed the total value of legitimate work at £3,500 - over ten times less than the amount charged. The gang also left parts of the garden in a poor condition.

A Trading Standards financial investigator traced the cheques through multiple bank accounts and identified Scott Matthew Cochrane (35) and Daniel Lee Coker (39) as the principal offenders. Both men were later positively identified by the victim in an identity parade.

The investigation found the proceeds were laundered through third‑party accounts to disguise their origin: worker Aaron Michael Frigot (27) banked a £25,000 cheque from the victim and transferred most of the funds to Coker and to Cochrane via Penny Jayne Barney (57) (also known as Penny Jayne Small). This “layering” of funds is a hallmark of money laundering designed to conceal criminal property.

At Bournemouth Crown Court, His Honour Judge Fuller KC said Barney had “laundered the money for financial gain” and “turned a blind eye” to its source. Sentences were as follows:

• Daniel Lee Coker – 6 years 7 months’ imprisonment (described by the judge as an experienced offender and on bail for other matters at the time).
• Scott Matthew Cochrane – 3 years 7 months’ imprisonment (offending while on bail for other offences).
• Penny Jayne Barney – 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 7pm - 7am curfew for 5 months, £200 compensation.
• Aaron Michael Frigot – 12 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, up to 20 hours’ rehabilitation, £1,500 compensation (having pleaded guilty earlier at Poole Magistrates’ Court).

In a statement read to the court, the victim said “It has been 2 years since the men targeted me and I still remember those two weeks very well, and parts of it still haunt me. The actions of Daniel Coker, Scott Cochrane & Aaron Frigot have had a distinct impact on my quality of life. These men left my garden in a terrible mess. I am still concerned about the state of it today. Every morning when I wake up, I think of what these men did and just hope that nothing similar ever happens to me or anyone like me again, and I am fearful of being targeted again.”

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Housing (including Trading Standards), said:

“Our Trading Standards team will rigorously investigate offenders who prey on the elderly and vulnerable residents of Dorset. When traders are found to be breaking the law robust action will be taken against them.

“Never agree to work from unexpected doorstep callers. Always get written quotes and cancellation rights before work starts, and don’t be pressured by claims of immediate safety risks - seek a second opinion. Avoid making large cash payments and use traceable methods instead.”

To stay safe, consider using vetted traders through the Buy With Confidence scheme. For further advice, Dorset residents can contact Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848.