Man Faces Felony in Bilking of Elderly Couple

 Police here arrested a Strafford man who they claim bilked an elderly couple out of $6,000 for a painting project at their home that he never started.

Michael Fennell, 45, has been charged with the Class B felony of theft by deception. Nottingham police arrested Fennell Tuesday.

Fennell was hired by an elderly couple as a contractor to complete a painting project at their home in Nottingham for the sum of $6,000. The couple paid Fennell a 50 percent deposit to buy materials for the job.

Soon after that payment, Fennell contacted the victims and asked for the balance citing personal and legal issues. He told the victims he needed the money in advance to avoid jail time. The victims then agreed to pay Fennell the remainder of the money. Fennell never returned to the victim's property, nor did he buy materials or complete any work, police said.

After multiple attempts by the victims to reach Fennell, Fennell admitted to the victims that he had spent their money and had no means of buying the material to complete the project for them.

Full Article and Source:
Man Faces Felony in Bilking of Elderly Couple