A PENSIONER was left shaken after falling victim to a rogue trader scam in her home.

The elderly woman, who has asked not to be named, was conned out of £1,600, leaving her in a state of shock.

Her story has been shared by plumber Lewi Leadbetter, who has vowed to help restore the pensioner’s faith in humanity after getting a call from her earlier this week asking for help.

Lewi runs LPS Leadbetter Plumbing Solutions, based in Runcorn.

He said: “She got in touch on Tuesday over a leak in her new downstairs WC and asked if I could call round to take a look as she didn’t want the original installer back.

“What I was greeted with shook me to the core. It was beyond belief.

“And the poor lady was bullied into paying £1,600 in cash for this as he wasn’t leaving the property until he had it.

“She told me she paid purely to get him out of the house.

“I agreed to rip it all out and start again because I couldn’t leave it like that.

“With the water off and the storage tank in the loft blanked, I began taking out the pipework.

“I opened up the airing cupboard to be greeted by a split, imploded hot water cylinder.

“This was created by a previous attempt to isolate the hot water without having to drain both tanks because it would have taken too long presumably.

“Long story short, nine and a half hours later and at 9.30pm on a Friday night, I had a new hot water cylinder sourced and fitted and the downstairs WC re-fitted and re-piped like it was supposed to have been done the first time around.”

Since then Lewi has launched a fundraising page to ‘restore the balance and help give back’.

“I was hoping it would be a surprise but I have been rumbled by one of her family members,” he said.

“I want to try to restore her faith.”

Lewi would also like to thank those who have helped so far.

The electrics have been completed by ACOL electrical, plastering by Paul Wycherley, flooring donated by Widnes Carpet and Laminate Centre and fitted by CH Carpet and Floor Fittings.

More than £1,200 has been raised for the victim in 48 hours.

To donate click here.