James Bennett faces court over alleged Sydney roof scam
An expat has faced court accused of being part of a roof scam gang that conned elderly east and inner west residents into paying out up to tens of thousands of dollars each.
Wentworth Courier
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A British expat has been extradited from Western Australia over his alleged role in a roofing scam that conned elderly residents in Sydney’s wealthy east and inner west into forking out thousands of dollars.
James Ashley Bennett, stopped at Perth Airport on January 22, is the fourth person collared following an investigation into the alleged dodgy deals.
Police say he was part of a group who posed as tradesmen and duped vulnerable Sydney residents out of cash, including one 91-year-old man from Double Bay who paid $150,000 for the group to carry out repairs on his home in December.
Bennett, 31, appeared via video link at Central Local Court on Friday charged with charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity at Double Bay between December 16 and 20.
A warrant was issued for his arrest on January 15. NSW Police were granted an extradition application on January 24, and he was flown to Sydney before being formally refused bail at Parramatta Local Court on January 25.
On Friday Magistrate Megan Greenwood adjourned the matter to February 6 where Bennett is expected to apply for bail.
A social media post on January 2 showing him sitting in front of the Sydney Opera House suggested he was planning a return home to Manchester in the UK.
“Our last night in Sydney! Can feel the Manchester spirit coming back after a year,” he wrote. “Home is where the heart is.”
Police were on the group’s trail after an Annandale woman, 75, refused to pay a bill of $62,000 to complete work on her house after receiving an initial $3000 quote.
She contacted Leichhardt police on December 18, with an investigation leading to the arrest of two men – aged 29 and 32 – at the aforementioned Double Bay property two days later.
Soon after officers searched a hotel room in Bondi Junction and allegedly seized $40,000 in cash.
A woman, Ann Bennett, was arrested at the hotel and taken to Waverley police station.
The 27-year-old was charged with knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group. She was granted release at Parramatta Bail Court on December 21.
She will next appear at Waverley Local Court on February 3.
The two men, Lawrence Newbury and Patrick Connor, were charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, demand property with menaces with intent to steal, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
They were also granted bail on December 21 to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on March 19.
Investigations continue.
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