Conman builder jailed for 9 years for swindling £350,000
A COWBOY builder has been jailed for almost nine years after pocketing at least £350,000 in a huge bogus repairs scam.
Patrick Young conned a string of homeowners during a lucrative four-year swindle.
His victims included a 79 year-old man - ripped off to the tune of £172,000 for work valued at a fraction of that.
A 84 year-old woman also handed over £132,000 oblivious that she was being preyed upon by callous Young.
Young was finally snared in late 2013 after a large police probe.
It lead to the 56 year-old appearing at the High Court in Glasgow last month to face justice where he pled guilty to 13 charges including fraud and extortion.
The fat conman was remanded in custody at the time and was jailed for eight years and nine months yesterday (Fri) at the High Court in Paisley.
Passing sentence judge Lord Matthews said: "For a period of four years from September 1, 2009 by a series of callous frauds, by the force of your overbearing personality and that of your associates, and in one case by express threats, you amassed sums of money amounting to a gross figure of £535,917."
He added: "Deducting the value of the work done, using the most generous figures available results in a figure of at least £350,000."
The judge also told him: "Many of your victims were elderly, and, or vulnerable and as is recognised by Mr Robertson, there was in some cases a breach of the trust which they had reposed in you over some time."
Young was told it was "somewhat alarming" that according to his social work report he showed "no real insight" into the nature of his crimes and the judge said he could not detect any "real expression of remorse".
Lord Matthews said Young's crimes resulted in "significant financial loss" to many and "incalculable" emotional and psychological loss.
Young targeted mostly vulnerable householders over a four year period between 2009 and 2013.
He ran a supposedly legitimate firm called Black Diamond Building Services.
His first victim was 84 year-old Katharine Liston, who lived at her cottage in Gartochan, West Dunbartonshire.
An employee of Young initially turned asking about any maintenance needing done.
But, a simple report of a damp patch at her porch ended up in massive upheaval at the OAP's home.
Prosecutor David Nicolson said: "Not knowing any better and trusting the builders, Mrs Liston agreed to the work."
She believed Young was the "boss of the operation".
Included in the supposed repairs, the pensioner was told the roof needed replaced and steps required fixing.
Young also insisted "substantial drainage and excavation work" had to be carried out.
He went on to state that unless work was done it could flood a neighbour's home.
This then resulted in several large trenches being dug in her front lawn.
Mr Nicolson: "She was appalled at the extent of what was being done. She frequently enquired about costs, but Young was very vague about this."
In July 2013, police spoke to Mrs Liston during a probe into Young's shady business.
A surveyor later calculated that the true cost of the work would have been £58,740.
The court heard, however, that Mrs Liston had handed over a total of £132,207.
Young moved on to con a number of people across Edinburgh.
The worst victim was 79 year-old Alexander Shepherd between 2011 and 2013.
Young said repairs were needed at his townhouse before insisting "more work than anticipated" had arisen.
This included plastering, window sills being replaced and repairs to make the property watertight.
The court heard how Young wormed his way into Mr Shepherd's confidence.
Mr Nicolson said: "Young did not carry out any of the work himself and went on to befriend Mr Shepherd telling him about his family.
"He appeared to be very concerned about telling Mr Shepherd that the work being done was of the highest quality.
"Young would also sit drinking tea with Mr Shepherd while the work was carried out."
The court heard the OAP did not question figures he was being quoted.
Young went on to claim the roof needed replaced resulting in scaffolding being put up for six weeks.
A suvery later found the work at his home was "substantially over priced".
The pensioner forked out a huge £172,800 for repairs that should have cost £39,240.
Young later pocketed £4,000 from 83 year-old retired doctor Moira Simmons. He unsuccessfully tried to get another £30,000 after insisting her "roof might fall in".
His next victim was 86 year-old Kenneth Lyon. The OAP felt so threatened by Young and his gang, he coughed up £5,560.
Jennifer Reid (47) was also sufficiently alarmed to hand over cash for bogus jobs.
He got £3,640 for effectively replacing two roof tiles.
John Williamson (82) stumped up £29,500 for repairs that should have cost £10,500.
Young then collected another £25,500 from Harriet Cunnigham for £4,000 of work.
He later demanded more than £6,000 from 73 year-old Gerda Rankin after initially calling to check a water tank.
But, Young did not get any money after the OAP called police.
He then, however, went on to con 90-year-old May Dalgleish out of £4,670 of her money - four times what the bill should have been.
Young later left a massive leak in Shona Wilson's home after shoddy repairs.
The 50 year-old's insurers refused to cover the damage leaving the mum of two £2,200 out of pocket.
Young ripped off 62 year-old Roderick MacKenzie for £8,000 for bogus jobs.
His final victim was 69 year-old Eleanor Bell at her home in Lochearnhead, Stirlingshire.
Young had previously carried out work at the house more than a decade earlier.
He insisted this time roofing repairs were necessary. Young was given £3,600 for work described as "incompetent".
Young, of Doune, Perthshire, was finally halted when police arrested him in October 2013.
He refused at the time to make any comment to officers.
But, on the eve of a lengthy trial, Young spared his many victims the ordeal of giving evidence by finally admitting his guilt.
His lawyer Graham Robertson told the court the con-man was aware the crimes were "extremely serious matters".
Mr Robertson said Young was always on site at some stage during the work carried out by his firm and in relation to some of his victims he built up relationships and that it is "cutting in both directions".
He added: "As far as Mr Young is concerned I can say to your lordship, with his family present in court, because of the relationships he had with some of the complainers, that he is embarrassed and upset at what ultimately has occurred."
The lawyer said that if Young had his way that instead of being subject to Proceeds of Crime, that his assets could go to those affected by his crimes.
The court also heard Young has had marriage problems as a result of his court case.
Young also faces a further hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act next year.
His three sons - Thomas (28), William (26) and Michael (21) - had also faced charges of being involved in the scam, but their not guilty pleas were accepted by prosecutors.