WORKMEN who tried to cheat a pensioner out of cash for roof repairs
caused more damage than they repaired at her home, Edinburgh Sheriff
Court heard yesterday.
The court was told that the 79-year-old woman was charged #140 for the
work. But a surveyor's report showed the repairs had caused damage which
would cost #500 to put right.
Robert McPhee, 22, of Kirklee Road, Mossend, Bellshill, and Peter
McAllister, 22, of Hayhill Cottage, Glenboig, Coatbridge, admitted
attempting to dupe the pensioner out of cash by claiming work needed to
be carried out on the roof of her Blackhall home last October.
Depute-fiscal David Dickson said some work was carried out on the
roof, but he said, quoting from an expert report: ''Although money has
been spent and materials have been used, the works which have been
carried out were either unnecessary, incorrectly carried out, or
detrimental to the building.'' The work, when done properly, would have
taken two men two days.
Police were called by bank staff when the elderly woman went to her
West End bank later in the day to withdraw a large sum of money.
McPhee and McAllister were waiting for the pensioner when she returned
home, but were arrested by police who arrived minutes later.
The two men were originally charged with attempting to obtain #2800 by
fraud, but a plea to a reduced amount was accepted.
Defending, Mr Gary McAteer said his clients had called at the
pensioner's home to canvass for work and had noticed some repairs needed
to be carried out.
He emphasised that the amount involved had been reduced significantly.
Sheriff Peter McNeill, QC, sentencing both men to nine months in
prison, said custody was necessary because of the gravity of the charge.
He also ordered the two men to pay #250 compensation each to the victim
within a week.
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