A con man builder who cheated pensioners out of £300,000 has been banned from knocking on any door in Britain.

Alan Fitzgerald, 53, was jailed in 2014 for six years after taking the money from 39 victims.

One gave him £39,000 for bogus repair work.

And another, aged 94, handed over £6,000 when Fitzgerald told her she had asbestos in her home and could be prosecuted.

However, weeks after being released from jail Fitzgerald – described by a judge as “truly despicable” –  was chasing more vulnerable people.

Fitzgerald, from Leicestershire, has now been served with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from trying to sell anyone anything.

He is barred from attending anyone’s home, making unsolicited calls or using any means online for any purpose related to the sale of any goods or service, on his or any other businesses behalf.

The order was granted at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, following an application by Northamptonshire Police.

He faces going back to prison if he breaches the order.

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Chris Stevens said:

“The criminal behaviour repeatedly demonstrated by Alan Fitzgerald means that this CBO was issued against him meaning that he cannot attempt to sell goods or services to anyone.

‘By issuing details of the order along with his photograph, we’re able to make members of the public aware of the restrictions imposed.’ “

Anyone who sees Fitzgerald breaching the order is asked to report it to police at once by calling 101.