22-Person Gang Who Targeted 'Isolated, Unwell, Grieving' Victims in £1m Fraud Sentenced

Two women in their 70s — one from New Marske and another from Sheffield — were cold-called by a man later identified as Frederick Finney, who convinced them they needed repairs to their garage roof. One repair turned into multiple restorations that were later found to be badly carried out.

The New Marske woman paid a total of £94,700 ($130,106) for work valued by a surveyor at just £3,107. The Sheffield woman paid £133,400 for work valued at just £3,350. Authorities later found that it was a scheme carried out by a 22-person gang across the North East, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

Abuse of Trust

Teesside Crown Court sentenced all 22 defendants in three batches, from 15 to 17 September 2026. 'These offenders deliberately targeted people who were isolated, unwell or grieving. They abused their trust and took life-changing sums of money, before trying to hide the proceeds through an extensive network of bank accounts,' said Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards.

The National Trading Standards Yorkshire and Humber Regional Investigation Team, hosted by City of York Council, conducted the investigation into the gang that defrauded victims of more than £1 million through unnecessary, poor-quality and grossly overpriced work. The scheme went on between May 2021 and August 2024.

The investigation found 43 victims across County Durham, Lincolnshire, Northumberland, Teesside and Yorkshire.

Sentences Handed Down

Walter Farrow, 55, received the longest term after he was sentenced to seven years and two months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to convert criminal property and two further fraud offences.

Frederick Finney, 48; Tyler McBride, 30; Shane Farrow, 33; and Daniel Moody, 34, were each sentenced to at least six years in prison for similar offences. Finney and Farrow pleaded guilty to their charges, while McBride and Moody were convicted. Moody was convicted in his absence.

Andrew Carty, 37, and Isaac Farrow, 31, were sentenced to five years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to convert criminal property. Carla Finney, 48, was convicted of the same charges and sentenced to five years.

Michael Olssen, 38, and Michael Mather, 35, pleaded guilty to similar charges and were sentenced to four years and 11 months and four years, respectively. Charlie Farrow, 37; Sonja Edgar, 44; and Thomas Winter, 34, were sentenced to three years or more. Edgar's three-year term was suspended for three years.

Shannon Finney, 22; Christopher Morley, 36; Ryan Watson, 27; Serena Robertson, 25; Chelsea Bayliss, 24; Nicole O'Brien, 36; and Ben Ware, 34, were each sentenced to two years, all suspended.

Finally, Allan Smith, 36, and James Hope, 37, were sentenced to 12 months in prison, both suspended for two years. Smith pleaded guilty to two fraud offences and converting criminal property, while Hope was convicted of conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Emotional Harm

'This was calculated criminality that caused serious financial and emotional harm,' Bichard said of the crime. In the case of the Sheffield woman, it was found that Frederick Finney, who used the name 'James' in committing the crime, tried to sweet-talk her with flowers and chocolates and called her the 'nicest customer'.

Her Honour Judge Joanne Teresa Kidd, in handing out the sentence, said: 'Money laundering is a disease that allows serious crime to take place.' Lord Bichard also said that people should not feel pressured into agreeing to work or making payment if they are not comfortable.