Keith Matthews: Rogue Traders conman jailed in absence

An on-the-run conman who was caught defrauding customers by the BBC's Rogue Traders programme has been jailed for three years in his absence.

Keith Matthews was found guilty of 13 counts of fraud and fraudulent trading at Leicester Crown Court last week.

The 58-year-old, who duped people into paying for unnecessary aerial work, did not turn up to his trial but was sentenced in his absence.

A police warrant is out for Matthews' arrest.

Co-defendant Luke Busby, of Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, was given 120 hours community service.

Matthews, of Quorn in Leicestershire, ran a TV aerial repair business which featured on the BBC show where he was caught faking unnecessary work - even pouring a drink over an aerial socket to claim there was a leaky roof.

After he featured on the show, Leicestershire Trading Standards began an investigation and he was again caught on hidden cameras duping customers.

John Hallisey, prosecuting, said: "Keith Matthews is a dishonest and deceitful trader of the very worst sort. He is the sort of man who gives hard working businessmen a bad name.

"Keith Matthews preys on the vulnerable, targets the elderly, deceives people into thinking they need work done when they don't, does work that is not necessary. When it is, there is a shoddy job."