POLICE have appealed for information on the whereabouts of a 'builder from hell' who fleeced a 76-year-old out of tens of thousands of pounds,

John Hart, 62, from Pokedown, Bournemouth was found guilty of one count of fraud at Swindon Crown Court today.

Judge Tim Mousley QC sentenced Hart to five years imprisonment in his absence as he had absconded during the trial. A warrant has been issued for Hart's arrest.

Hart ripped off the vulnerable pensioner by taking cheques totalling £34,500 for work which would have cost no more than £6,000 to properly carry out.

Det Con James Roberts from Swindon CID said: "I would urge anyone who knows of the whereabouts of John Hart or sees him to contact 999 immediately and give his exact location, direction of travel, description of clothing and any items he is carrying.

"It is possible that Hart has returned to the Dorset area or could still be in Wiltshire."

"We welcome this verdict as John Hart is a manipulative individual who wouldn’t think twice about preying on the elderly and vulnerable - as was seen in this case.

"I hope his victim can take some solace from the verdict and the fact that he has been sentenced to prison, once he is found, means he will be off the streets for some time - preventing him from doing this to anybody else."