Just one of rogue trader's nine island victims will get any compensation

AN Anglesey resident defrauded by a “professional conman” is to get a small amount of compensation.

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE

However eight other victims on the island have been left empty-handed as the rogue trader can only pay back a fraction of his ill-gotten gains.

Joseph Anthony Oliver from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, sentenced to four years and nine months in prison in July 2024 after admitting two counts of participating in a fraudulent business. The 34-year-old was also disqualified from being a company director for 10 years.

His successful prosecution followed a co-ordinated investigation by Trading Standards teams from Anglesey and Lancashire. They were joined by the National Trading Standards Wales Regional Investigation Team.

Their inquiries identified a total of 39 victims aged between 53 and 93 years-old, including nine from Anglesey. Oliver was said to have targeted mainly older homeowners who could no longer maintain their properties themselves. Many were widowed and struggling with mobility or limited vision.

In some cases losses were as little as £60, in others they were up to £120,000, with a total fraud value calculated in excess of £1m.