AN elderly vulnerable man from Dorchester who was targeted by rogue gardeners in 2022 had a nice surprise this week.

In September this year the last two members of the rogue trading gang were sent to prison by Bournemouth Crown Court for 3 years and 7 months and 6 years and 7 months.

The court heard how the gang had targeted the man in November 2022 offering to cut the hedge in his front garden. When he agreed they quickly gained his trust and found other work they claimed was urgent as his trees were diseased. He ended up paying £36,600 for work that was later valued by Dorset Council's trading standards service at £3500.

The victim was left with no savings and a garden full of cut tree trunks and other garden rubbish.

The case was widely publicised and a local arborist company, Knighton Countryside Management saw the story and contacted trading standards. They offered to clear the victim's garden and tidy up other trees free of charge.

Mark Gibbens, Managing Director of Knighton Countryside Management, said: "When I read about what had happened, it really hit home. Sadly, this isn't the first time we've come across the aftermath of rogue traders taking advantage of vulnerable people. My team of qualified arborists were more than happy to step in and put things right.

"We wanted to help restore the gentleman's garden and his peace of mind before Christmas. I'd urge anyone looking for tree work to always use Arboricultural Association-approved contractors. It's the best way to make sure you're dealing with genuine, trained professionals who take pride in their work and care about their clients."

Rachael Holden, trading standards service manager said: "We are very grateful for Knighton Countryside's incredibly generous offer to help the victim of this callous crime. We were successful in bringing four people behind the rogue venture to justice, but the victim's garden was left in a terrible state which was a constant reminder to him of what had happened.

"I would like to praise his bravery for giving evidence in court against the traders and also thank his neighbours who alerted us to this fraud which enabled us to take robust action."