Evanton man cheated elderly people out of money, Highland court told
A Ross-shire man defrauded several elderly people out of money by saying he was doing work on their houses when he was not.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that John Stewart (29) told a 75-year-old woman in Alness that he had cleaned her drains and defrauded her out of £40 on March 9, 2023.
He told another 84-year-old woman in Alness that he would paint her house in exchange for cash. He defrauded her out of £90 and additionally was able to ask for her bank card and pin, taking £250 from her card on June 29, 2023.
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On July 2, 2023 he stole a handbag and its contents in Alness.
On the same date he went to The Newsagents on the High Street in Alness and pretended to the employee that he was the lawful holder of a credit card, committing £47.80 of fraud.
On more than one occasion between April 30, 2022 and October 25, 2024 in Alness and Fortrose, Stewart behaved in a threatening and abusive manner, entering the house of an 84-year-old woman and searching her furniture for money.
He also entered the house of an 88-year-old, uninvited and refused to leave when asked, whilst on bail.
Stewart, of Thomas MacIver Street, Evanton, pled guilty to the charges of fraud, theft and to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Sheriff Gary Aitken deferred sentencing until May 1 so background reports can be completed.
