Trio accused of swindling vulnerable people by overcharging for work
David Mason, 39, Christopher Scott, 40, and Gary Russell, 41, deny a charge of conspiracy to defraud
Gareth Lightfoot
Teesside Crown Court (Image: Teesside Live)
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Three men accused of defrauding a string of vulnerable people on Teesside and beyond are to stand trial next year.
David Mason, 39, Christopher Scott, 40, and Gary Russell, 41, denied a charge of conspiracy to defraud.
They pleaded not guilty to conspiring "together with others" to defraud householders by dishonestly overcharging for work, undertaking unnecessary work and falsely claiming work had been carried out in 2017 to 2018.
Prosecutor Richard Bennett said: "There are a number of very vulnerable witnesses in this case.
"It's a case that involves Teesside, County Durham and a wider area."
He said the case involved "closer to 26" complainants, some described as in poor health.
A trial estimated to last five to six weeks in scheduled to start on May 26 next year.
Mason, of Harlech Court, Ingleby Barwick, and Russell, of Silver Street, Stockton, were bailed by Judge Howard Crowson.
They were bailed on condition they do not cold-call, enter North Yorkshire for cold-calling and do not contact co-accused or prosecution witnesses except the officer in the case.
Scott, whose address was recorded in court as c/o Holme House Prison and appeared in court via video link to the Stockton jail, was remanded in custody.
A fourth man is still to be charged and there will be a further hearing in March, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Ingleby Barwick and Thornaby
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