A ROGUE builder with a string of convictions to his name has been ordered to carry out 80 hours community punishment.

Joseph Horner - who already has the threat of a criminal antisocial behaviour order (CRASBO) hanging over him - was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to four offences of false trading across North Yorkshire.

The latest case against Horner involved elderly customers in Kirkbymoorside and Snainton, and followed convictions last month for duping residents in York.

On October 29, the Evening Press reported how 36-year-old Horner, of Farndale, near Kirkbymoorside, had charged two elderly couples in Huntington and Upper Poppleton, York, thousands of pounds for work that was never completed.

Horner was given the community punishment order by Scarborough magistrates.

At a previous hearing at Whitby Magistrates Court, he pleaded guilty to failing to notify customers of their right to cancel their contracts, and giving them an incorrect work address.

The Whitby hearing was told that in April, Horner charged Molly Glew, a Kirkbymoorside woman in her 80s, £480 to clean out her guttering.

But his work agreement gave an incorrect address and he also failed to tell her in writing she had the right to cancel her contract with him.

Horner did the same to Geoffrey Cawthra, of Snainton, near Scarborough, also in his 80s.

Updated: 10:19 Monday, November 21, 2005