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David Moroney • Published 29 Jul 2010 14:00
A BOGUS workman tried to dupe an 89-year-old man out of hundreds of pounds in a callous con.
Steven Cameron, 20, told frail pensioner John Willis, who suffers from heart problems, the roof of his Gourock home was leaking and it needed urgent repairs.
He claimed to be from a company called Aquashield, which had carried out work at the property around three years ago, and said the roof repairs would cost £1,200.
Conman Cameron then talked Mr Willis and his son Tony, 58, into handing over an initial cheque for £650.
Tony said: "He claimed to be from the company that had carried out work on the roof and said that he had returned to check it.
"He apparently had a look and produced a bit of rotten wood and said there was a leak at the chimney which needed some repairs.
"My dad has heart problems and he was worried by what was said.
"He gave a price of £1,200 but said he needed more than £600 for materials and he would take a cheque."
However, Tony became increasingly suspicious and contacted the company, only to find out the workman was bogus.
He said: "They had never heard of him and said 'don't let him anywhere near the roof'."
Tony contacted the bank, who cancelled the cheque, and informed him an attempt had been made to cash it.
Tony added: "He could have done this lots of times before.
"I just want to see justice done, which will be left up to the sheriff who will have all the circumstances."
Cameron appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
Cameron admitted that, while acting with others, he claimed to work for a legitimate firm when calling at the house and claiming that £1,200 of work was required.He also admitted attempting to obtain £650 by fraud on 21 September last year.
Cameron, of Dennistoun Forge, Dumbarton, was ordered to return to court next month to be sentenced.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 29 Jul 10
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