Evanton man (30) scammed pensioners in Alness and Fortrose with ‘home maintenance’ ruse

Elderly women were targeted by a 30-year-old Ross-shire man who conned them out of money by pretending to offer to carry out house maintenance.

But Inverness Sheriff Court heard that John Stewart of Thomas MacIver Street, Evanton was 'vulnerable' and taken advantage of by others, who used his intimidating size to frighten victims out of cash.

Despite having heard from defence solicitor Rory Gowans about his client's mental health problems, Sheriff Gary Aitken decided there was no alternative to a prison sentence and jailed Stewart for a year on several offences.

Stewart admitted four charges of fraud, one of theft and one of threatening behaviour which occurred from March, 2023 to October, 2024 in Fortrose and Alness.

Sheriff Gary Aitken heard that one of Stewart's victims in Fortrose was 88-year-old and he induced her to pay him £180 by pretending he would carry out cleaning and roof repairs.

Stewart also entered an 84-year-old neighbour's home to search for money and refused to leave.

The other frauds occurred in Alness’ Market Square where his victims were 84 and 75. Stewart obtained £40 from one woman by offering to clean her drains and £90 from a second to paint her house — before he induced her to give him her bank card and PIN number so he could withdraw another £250 from her account.

The court also heard that on July 2, 2023 he stole a handbag and its contents from a house in Kendal Crescent, Alness.

Stewart also pretended on two occasions at the Newsagents on Alness High Street, that he was the holder of a credit card in the name of a woman and obtained goods to the value of £47.80.

Mr Gowans told the Sheriff: "He knows he would have caused significant fear and alarm and he is not attempting to use his mental health as a shield. But he was not the mastermind in this business and others took advantage of him.

"Some monies have been paid back but not all.

"He knows he should not have behaved in this way but he seems to be okay as long as he is on his meds. He appears now to be back on the straight and narrow, and is here prepared for what may happen."

Jailing Stewart, Sheriff Aitken said: "It may not have been the most sophisticated fraud but it is the consistent preying on the elderly which must have been very concerning for the old women in their own home."

He then addressed Stewart: "Whatever difficulties you may have in your own life, there is no excuse for behaviour of this kind and the courts will not tolerate it."