Time to ‘sign over your house to me’
Cowboy builder tries to take advantage of owner
bench it was a “fairly unusual” case.
He told the jury: “I would have found him guilty of the charge.”
The sheriff added: “Certainly a custodial sentence will be at the forefront of my mind.”
The 53-year-old victim is currently in hospital suffering from a mental illness and was unfit to give evidence during the trial.
Brass-necked McDonagh told a staff member at legal firm Lockharts that the man wanted to sign over the titles of his property to him.
Property manager Kirsty Connor who gave evidence in court described McDonagh as pushy after he asked to be seen on the same day.
She described the victim as appearing uncomfortable.
She told first offender McDonagh there was no appointment available.
Afterwards he rushed over to another solicitor Mr Campbell in Wellington Square and a mandate was procured.
Giving evidence Mr Campbell said it was difficult to get a response from the victim and described him as subdued and dominated by the other men.
The victim’s neighbour phoned the police after becoming concerned at seeing the men at the house repeatedly.
Sheriff John Montgomery deferred sentencing for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.
McDonagh, of Northern Ireland, has been released on bail.
He was found guilty of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner between April 5 and 14 last year while acting with another and repeatedly turning up at the address in Taybank Drive under the guise of carrying out remedial works.
The charge stated that having ascertained the resident was vulnerable and could be coerced or induced to transfer over the ownership of his house, McDonagh took him to the solicitors to have the title deeds transferred to him.
Certainly a custodial sentence will be at the forefront of my mind