Window Cleaners Chat Saves His Life

Derek Roberts

Window cleaner's chance chat with customer led to life-saving procedure on 'inoperable' tumour: Derek Roberts was having a conversation while up the ladder at the home of James Arthur when the topic turned to a rare form of cancer Derek had A chance chat with a customer saved a window cleaner’s life.

Derek Roberts was up his ladder at the home of James Arthur when they got talking. The 54-year-old from Boothstown, Salford, had been told by several doctors that a very rare type of cancer growing in his abdomen was inoperable. But while cleaning windows at Mr Arthur’s home in Boothstown he told him of the tumour. Mr Arthur is a consultant surgeon at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, and suggested he get a second opinion there. Surgical teams at the hospital specialise in removal of tumours which are very complex to operate on, and they perform about ten operations a year.

Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool.

Derek went for a check up at Aintree and it resulted in a team led by consultant hepatobiliary surgeon, Mr Hassan Malik, successfully removing a 7kg gastrointetinal tumour, which was the size of a football. After a 10-hour operation, the team had successfully removed the tumour, along with parts of Derek’s liver, stomach and spleen.

Derek, who has been cleaning windows for more than 15 years, said: “I’d been told that nothing could be done, so who would have thought a chat while I was cleaning windows would lead to this? “I’ve been cleaning Mr Arthur’s windows for about six years but this was the first time I’ve shared any health concerns with him, and I’m so glad I did. “The whole team at Aintree was excellent and I can’t thank them enough – they have saved my life.”

Derek Roberts with James Arthur, Consultant surgeon (left) and Hassan Malik (right) consultant hepatobiliary surgeon, outside Aintree University Hospital.

Mr Arthur said: “I was around when Derek turned up to clean the windows and we had a bit of a chat, which turned to his health situation. I suggested a second opinion from my clinical colleagues. It’s a complicated condition to operate on but luckily Derek met the criteria.”

Since his operation just over 12 months ago, Derek has held a number of fundraising events, including some at his local pub, the Greyhound in Boothstown, and he recently handed over a cheque for £3,000 to the hospital’s hepatobiliary fund.

Derek Roberts (left) with James Arthur consultant surgeon (right) and Hassan Malik consultant hepatobiliary surgeon (centre).

Mr Malik said: “These are rare tumours, which are complex to manage and challenging to operate on, particularly when they are so advanced. We had to remove the tumour and parts of Derek’s stomach, liver and spleen, but the operation went smoothly.

“Even as one of the country’s leading centres, we still only carry out a very small number of these operations each year. Derek was certainly very fortunate and we wish him all the best with his continued recovery. We are extremely grateful for his fundraising work, which will support the treatment of patients in a similar condition on our wards.”

An x-ray showing Derek Roberts' seven kg tumour.

Another Illegal Window Cleaner Gets Jail

Under surveillance: Thomas Kenny claimed his back complaint was a disability... but was caught on camera lifting a ladder. Thomas Kenny claimed his back complaint was so bad he couldn't walk. But he was caught on camera carrying a ladder and lifting a tyre from his car. The 52-year-old had been jailed for a separate case of benefit fraud in 2009

That will never wash! Benefits cheat who claimed £33,000 by pretending he had to use a wheelchair caught cleaning windows. A cheat who pretended he needed to use a wheelchair so he could claim benefits has been jailed after investigators caught working as a window cleaner. Thomas Kenny claimed more than £33,000 in incapacity benefit and disability living allowance over a five-year period. The 52-year-old - who had been jailed back in 2009 for a different case of benefit fraud - was emotionless as he was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to eight months in prison. The father-of-two was caught on surveillance by the Department for Work and Pensions carrying a ladder and taking a tyre out of the boot of his car.

Grey-haired Kenny was charged with failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of a change in circumstances when he started work as a window cleaner in 2007, having claimed incapacity benefits since 1997 for a bad back. He was also charged with fraudulently claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from April 2008 until his arrest last September. He pleaded guilty to both charges at Liverpool Magistrates Court in March. The 'serial fraudster' claimed £11,554.30 of DLA from April 2008 until September 2011. He also fraudulently claimed £22,129.50 of incapacity benefits from June 2007 to August 2011. He fraudulently claimed a total of £33,683.80.

Bootle-born Kenny claimed on his DLA application form that he used a walking stick, and sometimes used a wheelchair. He also claimed that he could not wash or dry himself, needed help climbing the stairs, and that it took him three to four minutes to walk five metres, but had been working as a window cleaner since 2007. Kenny claimed he only took on the window cleaning work from his father, who had suffered a fall in 2007 which resulted in a brain injury. An earlier sentencing date was adjourned last month as Kenny’s father died while he was in court. Nicola Daley, prosecuting, said: 'He (Kenny) has been in receipt of incapacity benefits since 1997 and was unfit for work. 'It was not fraudulent from the outset, but there was a failure to notify the DWP of the change in circumstances. 'In more recent times he was working as a self-employed window cleaner.' Kenny was also jailed for four months in 2009 for failing to notify the DWP of his wife’s occupational pension, after claiming income support for the couple since 2002.

Only a quarter of that sentence was served, and it did not deter Kenny, who continued to receive DLA and incapacity benefits following his release. David Birrell, defending, said: 'By explanation and not excuse, the window cleaning round Mr Kenny carried out had been his father’s round. 'His father suffered an accident when he fell from a ladder in 2007 and suffered what would end up as a fatal brain injury.' Mr Kenny was asked to step in by his mother and he said he felt obliged to do so. He is 52, married, with two children. His daughter sits in court today, and his family are devastated. 'He is a man who works and volunteers driving disabled children around - there is good in him.' Judge Mark Brown, sentencing, said: 'Mr Kenny, you said it took you several minutes to walk a short distance and needed a walking stick and needed help with personal issues.

Heavy load: In one image, Kenny is seen lifting a tyre from the boot of his car.

Easy does it: Far from being incapacitated, Kenny lifts the ladder on to the roof of his car with ease.

'There was significant dishonesty here and your position is considerably aggravated by the fact that in 2009 you were sentenced to four months in prison for making false statements to obtain benefits over the course of five-and-a-half years. 'Following your release from prison, you continued to claim incapacity benefits and DLA and did so fraudulently. 'It is clear to me that you are something of a serial fraudster. You are a repeat offender when it comes to duping the state. 'It has been said time and time again that this country cannot afford to pay out these kind of monies. 'Money that could be put into health care and social services. It could be used to support people, not put into your back pocket.' Kenny was sentenced to eight months in prison, and waved to his daughter, who burst into tears as he was led from the dock.

Window Cleaner Jailed For Overcharging Pensioner

Window cleaner gets six months in jail after overcharging pensioner £8: A window cleaner who let “temptation get the better of him” and cheated a vulnerable pensioner was today starting a six-month jail sentence. Liverpool Crown Court heard that 26-year-old Jamie David had cleaned the windows at the home of the 82-year-old woman - but then took advantage of her vulnerability to get extra cash out of her.

On one occasion he kept £3 she had overpaid him for carrying out the service. He then returned and charged her £5, but failed to carry out the work. Judge Brian Lewis told him, “You stole or defrauded from her £8 - a trifling amount, of course, but this case isn't about money, it is about the exploitation of the elderly and vulnerable in our society. “These were mean offences for which your remorse has been limited. "The message must go out that people who target our elderly and vulnerable in this way will face immediate imprisonment.”

The court heard that at the time David, a persistent shoplifter, was the subject of a community sentence. Joanne Maxwell, prosecuting, told the court David began cleaning windows in the Eastham area in April. But when the pensioner paid David too much for his services he held on to the extra £3. He then returned and charged her £5 to clean the insides of her windows, but he never carried out the job. His offending eventually came to light after her home on Darleydale Drive, was burgled. She reported the loss of her purse to her daughter, who alerted the police.

After being arrested David of Ribblesdale Close, Eastham, admitted two offences of fraud, but denied burglary, a charge which has been dropped. Defence barrister Jonathan Duffy, said that David, who has a ten-month old son, had “legitimately” worked as a window cleaner. “Having provided a service for proper payment temptation got the better of him," he explained.

High Flying Window Cleaners In Liverpool

High-flying window cleaners scrub Liverpool’s 450ft foot Radio City Tower: A pair of high-flying window cleaners will spend the week 450ft in the air as they clean one of Liverpool’s tallest buildings.

Adam Corlett and Ian Warmsley began their death-defying mission to spruce-up the Radio City Tower at 8am yesterday and will be there until Friday.

The climbers, who work at From Great Heights, an industrial abseiling specialists based in Formby, were called in to give St John’s Beacon its annual clean.

Station director Richard Maddock said: “We have to wait for this time of year for longer daylight hours and generally better weather conditions. Wind speed has to be taken into account and can’t be gusting over 15mph.”

The 453ft Radio City Tower was the tallest building in Liverpool until it was overtaken by the 459ft West Tower.

 

Brodex Window Cleaning Robbed

Freshfield businessman Paul Wilding alleged to have stolen £25,000 from small business: A Freshfield businessman is to appear in court suspected of stealing £43,000 from two Southport organisations. Paul Wilding, of Wrigleys Lane, was arrested on suspicion of defrauding Southport Conservative Club of £18,000 while acting as deputy treasurer.

While on police bail, the 51-year-old is then alleged to have stolen £25,000 from water treatment firm Brodex, where he was employed as an accountant. Wilding, described as a “well-to-do, well presented” man, will be charged with four counts of fraud and two of theft at North Sefton magistrates’ court next Friday, June 3. Executive members at Southport Conservative Club raised the alarm in August 2009 after spotting anomalies with the private club’s accounts over the course of a year.

Adam Urbanowski, chairman of Southport Conservative Club, said the losses were such that the viability of the club had been placed in immediate danger. He said: “If it wasn’t for a wealthy benefactor who stepped in to help, the club would probably have folded. “When the money went, our cash flow went and we couldn’t pay the bills. “This chap stepped in and basically saved the club. We really are indebted to him.”

Mr Wilding, a former jewellery shop owner, worked for Brodex from January to July 2010, while on police bail. He was re-arrested by police after managing director Sean Burke reported accounts discrepancies of £25,000. Describing Wilding, Mr Burke said: “He is your typical middle-aged married man. A well-to-do, well presented, ex-corporate kind of bloke. “He was calmly spoken and well spoken, very articulate. “He passed his interview with flying colours and quickly got his feet behind the table, he was very keen to take control.”

Mr Burke, whose firm manufactures window cleaning machines and telescopic poles, and said the disappearance of the cash threatened the livelihood of the business. He said: “We are still feeling the repercussions of losing that money now. “It caused the company accounts to drop into a loss which harmed our credit rating.”

Window Cleaners: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Good...

Norwich man's diabetes cured by weight loss: A Lakenham window cleaner has managed to transform his health after losing more than five stone. John Batterbee used to take eight tablets and two insulin injections a day for his type 2 diabetes, but no longer needs any treatment. His high blood pressure has improved and so has his sleep apnoea. The 38-year-old, who has his own window cleaning business, was due to have drastic weight loss surgery when one of his customers, Hayley Hooper, suggested he join her Slimming World Group. In the past 28 weeks he has lost 5st 3lb and gone from 20st 5lb to 15st 2lb.
He said: “I had a bad experience a few years ago at a different club when I got put down in front of everyone, and I decided that sort of thing was not for me. I have had a problem with people who tell you to lose weight when they haven't been there themselves. But I found out that Hayley had lost weight on that diet as well and that changed my attitude a bit. I went along and it has been brilliant ever since.” Now he has swapped deep-fried chips for oven chips and thrown out the deep fat frier. He uses a low-fat cooking spray for frying and snacks on fruit and vegetables instead of crisps and pasties.
He said: “The health benefits are amazing. I feel quite annoyed I let myself that way to start with. I don't like looking fat and I hate looking at pictures of how I used to be. “My ideal weight is still three stone off, and that still seems like a long way. But my target when I joined Slimming World was 15st and I am only 2lb off that.” When he went to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for his annual diabetes check last year, the doctor warned him that he had to improve his health. Mr Batterbee said: “I told him 'I am really struggling with my weight, I have almost given up.' When he suggested weight loss surgery I just jumped at it, it was what I wanted to hear.”
Mr Batterbee, who is married to Sharon and has a 10-year-old son and two adult stepsons, had been referred to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital for weight loss surgery, and was due to have a gastric bypass. But by the time he had an appointment there he had joined Slimming World and had already lost two stone, though he was still eligible for surgery. When he returned for a pre-operation check-up two weeks ago he had lost more weight and was told he no longer needed surgery. He is currently waiting for the results of tests to show whether his diabetes has gone completely. He said: “If I had had the surgery there would have been major side-effects. It is brilliant not to want or need that now.”
About 31,000 people in Norfolk (excluding Great Yarmouth and Waveney) have diabetes, and around 2,300 people are diagnosed with diabetes each year. It is estimated that at least half of all diabetes cases could be prevented if adults kept their weight to a healthy level. Khin Swe Myint, consultant physician in diabetes at the N&N, said: “I am very pleased with John's progress. He has lost a substantial amount of weight through his own efforts and this has led to a reduction in the medication he needs, including insulin.
“There are many benefits to weight loss for patients with diabetes who will feel much better and have more energy. Patients commonly require less medication for blood pressure, diabetes and indeed sometimes may also cure their sleep apnoea which could be associated with being overweight.” Hayley Hooper, who runs the Slimming World Poringland Group, said: “I am really proud of John and the support the members of the group have given him each week.”

The Bad....

Jailed Liverpudlian heroin courier & window cleaner claimed he was forced at gunpoint to make trip to Shetland: The latest Liverpudlian heroin courier to be jailed at Lerwick Sheriff Court said he was forced at gunpoint to make the trip to Shetland in punishment for having beaten up a man with drug gangster connections. To avoid having his legs broken in revenge David Garnett, 39, of Lawrence Road, Liverpool, concealed bags of heroin inside his body and caught the bus to Aberdeen before boarding the NorthLink ferry on 26th May. Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie told the court on Wednesday the police had intelligence about his activities and were waiting at the Holmsgarth terminal the next day for “yet another Liverpudlian to come off the boat with diamorphine concealed in their rectum”.
Garnett initially refused to co-operate despite an X-ray at the hospital showing he had four packages in his abdomen. A warrant had to be obtained to allow a laxative to be administered against his will. Mr MacKenzie said the four packages of heroin had contained 780 individual wraps of £20 bags worth a total of about £15,600. He told Sheriff Graeme Napier that, as he had heard umpteen times before, the drugs mule had been coerced into smuggling heroin into Shetland. One day in Liverpool he had been walking his dog along a canal when he got into an altercation with another dog-walker. Garnett administered “a severe beating” to the man, Mr MacKenzie said.
Unfortunately the man used his family connections high up in the organised crime world to exact retribution, causing Garnett to be before the court facing years in jail. His defence lawyer Tommy Allan pointed out that Garnett’s string of previous convictions had not involved drugs but he had been ordered to go to Shetland or have his legs broken. “He was quite clear that they were serious about this,” Mr Allan said. Since his first court appearance in Lerwick in May Mr Garnett, a window-cleaner and car-washer, had co-operated and always intended pleading guilty, Mr Allan told the court. The Sheriff was amazed Garnett could get work as a window-cleaner with such an “appalling” criminal record, which included stretches inside. He jailed him for 40 months, backdated to 31st May since when he has been on remand.

And the Ugly....