TWO cowboy builders who conned an 86-year-old dementia sufferer out of his life savings have been jailed.

John Kennedy and John Bulmer charged Douglas Wallace almost £14,000 for replacing his garage door, clearing rubbish from his garden, cleaning drains and resetting his chimney.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the work, which was badly carried out, would have cost just £3,000 if carried out by legitimate tradesmen.

Kennedy and Bulmer, who have no real skills or qualifications as craftsmen, were both convicted of conspiracy to defraud.

Kennedy, 40, of Silksworth Terrace, Sunderland, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years behind bars.

Bulmer, 55, of River View, Hendon, Sunderland, was convicted after a trial and was sentenced to three years behind bars.

The court heard Mr Wallace, who is now 88, is now "hopelessly lost in his dementia".

Prosecutor Ewan Duff told the court how Bulmer how the dishonest duo had produced business cards and flyers advertising their building business, which Mr Wallace may have responded to.

Police became involved when Mr Wallace's brother-in-law realised his account was overdrawn.

And a taxi driver told police of his suspicions when he was asked to drive the widower from his home in Jesmond to the bank to withdraw cash for the workmen.

Mr Duff said: "The work was in fact done very poorly.

"The defendants weren't proper builders at all, neither had any qualifications.

"They had no business, they had simply printed cards they put around on spec.

"Kennedy was on benefits at the relevant time, Bulmer may well have been on benefits at the time."

The court heard how the pair had been trying to cash a further £2,200 cheque when they were arrested.

Judge Esmond Faulks told them: "The person who was defrauded was a vulnerable, elderly man suffering from Alzheimers disease.

"You two targeted him by being cowboy builders, pretending to carry out valuable work which you did not in fact carry out in order to milk him for as much money as possible.

"I deal with you on the basis you were in partnership together, the proceeds would have been shared between you."