A heroin addict posed as a handyman to cheat a pensioner out of £98 to fund his habit, a court heard.

Leo O’Dell knocked on the door of his victim’s house in Bitterne Park and offered to clean the gutters - charging his victim £40.

Chair of the magistrates’ bench Chris Elliott blasted O'Dell for carrying out the “premeditated fraud”.

Prosecuting, Christina Morgan told Southampton Magistrates’ Court how O’Dell said he wanted payment straight away so he could go and buy the tools.

After he was handed £40 in cash by the 79-year-old man, he left the property before returning later the same day.

1895053018950530 (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

Ms Morgan said: “He returned with a receipt, but the name on the receipt was not his name and he had provided false information.

“The pair exchanged phone numbers, and the defendant said he would return the next day, but he did not.

“The man paid a total of £98 to the defendant to complete the promised works.

“O’Dell had told the victim he had carried out gutter clearing works at the neighbouring properties, but he had not.”

READ MORE: Man breaks back in fall from barn roof while repairing it after fire

Ms Morgan told the court O’Dell was previously convicted of fraud in 2022, in February and August of 2020, and in 2019.

She added: “The defendant deliberately targeted the victim on the basis of his age.”

O’Dell, of no fixed address, admitted one charge of fraud relating to the incident on November 19.

Mitigating, Barry Keel said: “The cash was spent, perhaps unsurprisingly, on drugs by the defendant.

“He was arrested on January 6, but since this incident on November 19 no further offences have been committed.”

O’Dell was handed an eight-month prison sentence and he was ordered to pay £98 compensation to the victim.

Hampshire police have warned that rogue traders pose as qualified tradespeople, offering home repairs.

They may claim urgent work is needed, begin unapproved tasks, or pressure quick decisions.

Tactics include asking for upfront payments, delivering subpar results, and inflating prices.

Always verify credentials and avoid agreeing to unexpected or high-pressure offers at your door, police say.