Two men sentenced for fraud offences

Two men have been sentenced after conning nearly £200,000 out of 29 people, including pensioners and those that are vulnerable, during a two-year span where they posed as workmen offering to carry out repairs.

Johnny Ward, 24, and Bernard Mongan, 31, pleaded guilty to a combined 34 counts of fraud in which they presented themselves as traders under a handful of different false companies. 

The pair, from Leighton Buzzard, operated between 2020 to 2022. They would cold-call at properties under the guise they were there to help, before entering the homes and either stealing money, driving victims to cash points or demanding set amounts be transferred to one of 16 bank accounts they had access to.  

During the large-scale investigation, Bedfordshire Police uncovered Ward and Mongan were carrying out the offences across the county, as well as Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Essex. 

On Friday (16 January) at Luton Crown Court, Ward, of Slapton Road, Little Billington, Leighton Buzzard, was sentenced to two years and nine months for 24 counts. 

Ward failed to turn up to court and officers are now attempting to locate him.

Mongan, of the same address, was sentenced to 14 months suspended for two years for 10 counts. 

Detective Sergeant Ann Ward, from Bedfordshire Police’s Serious Fraud Investigation Unit, said: “Ward and Mongan deliberately targeted members of our community, exploiting trust for their own financial gain. 

“Their actions caused significant distress and hardship to victims. 

“We will continue to pursue those who commit fraud and bring them to justice."

Fraud is a serious crime. If you think you have been a victim or have any concerns, please report it.

Legitimate doorstep selling involves someone selling you goods or services in your home or on your doorstep. Many honest businesses use this technique – but so do fraudsters.

Some signs to look out for include being pressurised into buying something you don’t want or something that’s poor value for money.

You can find out more about how to report any suspicious behaviour and fraud, as well as how to protect yourself, here: Bogus tradesmen fraud - Report Fraud