LISTEN: Police condemn callous crook who defrauded 87 year old out of nearly £150,000
Robert Stewart targeted his victim in Edinburgh, claiming to offer roof repairs.
A rogue trader who preyed'' on his 87-year-old victim and defrauded him out of nearly £150,000 has been jailed for three years.
Robert Stewart, 21, was found guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court of bogus workman offences.
The court heard Stewart went to his victim's home in Edinburgh, in December 2015 and offered to repair a television antenna.
He told the homeowner the roof needed extensive work, which his company Abbey Building & Roofing could carry out.
The 87-year-old agreed to the maintenance and made several online payments to the firm totalling £147,460 between December 2015 and March 2016.
Staff at the victim's bank became suspicious at the payments and contacted police.
During the investigation, officers arranged for two independent surveys on the house and found the work carried out was inferior and valued at far less than the fee charged.
Detectives linked the payments to an account held by Stewart, leading to his arrest and charge in April. He was found guilty after trial and sentenced on Thursday.
Detective Constable Jim Philp spoke to Forth News reporter Kerri-Ann Docherty: