A vulnerable householder told today of his terror after he was forced to take £3,000 out his bank by a gang of conmen builders.

The men drove Kenneth Sutcliffe, 60, into Bradford city centre to get cash to pay for repairs they claimed his home needed.

Yesterday, one of the three-strong gang, 26-year-old John Connors, was jailed for three and a half years after he was found guilty of his part in what the judge called a "despicable" offence.

Connors was the driver of the van which took Mr Sutcliffe to the bank where he was forced to withdraw £3,150 from his mother's account. His two accomplices are still being sought by police.

Connors was told by the judge at Bradford Crown Court, Recorder Jeremy Freedman: "What you and your colleagues did was to prey on a man of a certain age living on his own.

"You led him to believe work needed to be done on his gutters. Then you drove him, knowing full well he was going to cash in his life savings. He was duped.

"This was a despicable, odious and mean offence. You and your colleagues caused terror to that man. He was utterly intimidated and terrified.

"You have shown no remorse for your acts. What aggravates your situation is you have done it before."

Connors, of Geldard Road, Leeds, pleaded not guilty to obtaining property by deception, but was found guilty in less than an hour by the jury.

The father-of-three showed no emotion as the guilty verdict was announced, but his mother and partner wept in the public gallery and, as he was sentenced, Connors buried his head in his hands and broke down.

The court had heard how Mr Sutcliffe, who has learning difficulties, was making dinner at his home in Low Moor, Bradford, when a van containing the three men pulled up outside.

They told him his guttering needed cleaning out and it would cost £11,000 to have it all replaced.

Mr Sutcliffe told the jury he felt intimidated and he was driven to his bank, where he withdrew £3,150 from his mother's account and handed it over. He then went to a building society to withdraw more money, but when he came out the men had disappeared. The money was never recovered.

Connors admitted to the court he was the driver of the van but claimed he was told by the other men that the money was for a skip and scaffolding. His accomplices are still being sought by police.

The court was told Connors had a previous conviction for a similar offence when he cheated an elderly woman out of £300. He also had convictions for violence.

His barrister, Oliver Jarvis, said Connors was not the organising brains behind the deception and there was no evidence he had spent the money.

Mr Sutcliffe, speaking after the case at his neat bungalow, said at first he believed the men were genuine, but then he became intimidated and frightened.

"I felt under pressure and thought they might do me some harm if I didn't give in to them. I just wanted to get the money so they would leave me alone."

Mr Sutcliffe added: "I am very satisfied with the verdict but I would like the sentence to have been longer because of the seriousness of the offence.

"People who do something like that are scum. I will never forget the experience. It has made me feel suspicious and nervous about anybody coming to the door. I won't open the door now unless I am absolutely certain who it is.

"I would urge anyone to keep their doors locked, ask for identification and don't let anyone in unless you know who they are.

"I would appeal to anyone who knows who the other two are, to contact police."

Mr Sutcliffe's friend, Kath Laws, a professional carer, said he was an easy target.

She said: "He is vulnerable and they took advantage of him. I was disgusted that Connors lied and lied to try and get out of what he had done. Kenneth will not be the first this has happened to and he won't be the last."

Police say this type of offence is not common but believe there are victims who have not come forward because they are afraid.

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Gasson, of Bradford South Police, said victims sometimes felt embarrassed about being tricked, but people could not be allowed to get away with such crimes.

He said: "This was a deceitful crime on a vulnerable victim. No repair work was made on the victim's guttering. Connors preyed on his victim and is now paying the price.

"I hope this sentence is a deterrent to anyone else contemplating this type of crime. The action taken by the police and courts may encourage other victims to come forward.

"I would remind householders to always be happy that a workman is bona fide before agreeing to allow them to do any work on your property, or handing over any cash."

The judge praised a CCTV operative who helped trap Connors. Brendan Fitzpatrick spotted him in the van and remembered the vehicle registration number from a previous suspicious incident. He alerted police who arrested Connors.