TWO conmen who ran a million pound tarmac-laying scam targeting homes in Gloucestershire and around the country have been jailed.

Brothers James and Shaun Ball were ordered to pay back £325,000 by a judge a Plymouth Crown Court this week.

The pair, from Over in Gloucester, who also used the surname Gorman, offered reduced quotes for tarmac jobs, then carried out shoddy work with hugely inflated costs.

Alan Evans, regional manager of Scambusters the cross force Trading Stands team that cracked the case, said the duo "showed no mercy" to their victims, who they often intimidated to get the cash they wanted.

The brothers worked their way around the country with the scam, beginning in the rural areas of Gloucestershire.

Mr Evans said that there were at least 20 recorded cases in the area between Dursley and Bristol.

"The pair would not commit the crimes on their own doorstep so they started further afield in Gloucestershire then worked they way down the South West and then all around the country," said Mr Evans.

"They went to extraordinary lengths to put together the face of a legitimate company.

"They had no respect for anyone, they would identify elderly or vulnerable people in remote locations and intimidate them."

Sgt Neil Gibbs, of Dursley Police station, said he welcomed the news of the Balls’ conviction as rogue traders and bogus callers are a serious issue in the area.

"We do regularly get instances of rogue traders, distraction burglars and bogus callers in this area.

"I welcome the news of this conviction as it sends out a message to others hoping to do a similar thing that you will be caught and it is not acceptable to prey on vulnerable people."

Sgt Gibbs said the force was working on Operation Liberal, which aims to crackdown on these kinds of offences but gathering information and sharing it with other forces.

James Ball, 27, was sentenced to three years in prison, while Shaun, 22 got two years after they pleaded guilty to 16 offences of theft and fraud.

Scambusters had over 600 recorded cases to put before the court, although only used a sample of around 100 during the hearing.

Operating under the names Nationwide Tarmac, Associated Roads and Three County Surfacing Ltd, the brothers made false claims about working for the council, and had a van which falsely claimed to have depots across the UK.

They sometimes resorted to threats if their victims were reluctant to pay.

Plymouth Crown Court was told their crime spree spanned from 2005 until the end of 2007.

Sgt Gibbs added: "Our message is always the same, never accept offers of business from people turning up on your doorstep. Ask for ID, take down a number, call the company. If you are worried call the police, we are happy to come down and help."