Rogue trader rumbled by disabled couple after using real name.

Convicted man gave false company title – but his actual details

A hapless bogus workman was easily rumbled by his intended victims after giving them a false company name – and his own genuine details.

The disabled couple James Hume tried to rip off were so suspicious of him they did an internet search and discovered he was a serial conman.

They found newspaper reports on his previous convictions but could not find any trace of the company – One Solution – that he claimed he ran.

And it was that false claim which led to Hume being convicted again yesterday, despite failing to con a penny out of his intended victims.

Hume was convicted under Consumer Protection legislation of misrepresenting himself on August 23 in Perth on behalf of a company which did not exist.

He admitted the Consumer Protection Act offence and the court was told he was already serving 12 months behind bars for a similar offence.

Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence until January.

Perth Sheriff Court was told Hume was caught red-handed when he returned to the couple’s home to try to get cash out of them and left his Transit van in the street.

Police were already hunting for the van because the couple had raised the alert after Hume’s initial visit to their home and his exposure online.

Depute fiscal Clare Kennedy told the court: “The complainer suffers from partial paralysis which severely affects her mobility.

“Her husband is disabled, wheelchairbound and requires 24-hour care.

“He attended their home on August 23 offering to carry out gardening work. They were suspicious and asked for a business card but he did not provide one.

“He told them his name was James Burke Hume and his company was One Solution.

“The accused left with no formal agreement to do any work and leaving no paperwork or identification.

“The complainer searched online for One Solution but couldn’t find anything.

“They searched the accused’s name and found he had previous convictions for bogus workman-type offences. They contacted police.”

Miss Kennedy said Hume returned the following day.

“When he was told they did not want any work done, he claimed they should pay for materials he had already bought for the job.

“Police were passing by and observed the accused’s Transit van. As they were aware of the initial incident they stopped to speak to him.”

The case was reported to Trading Standards and Hume was then arrested.

Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said: “He was fairly easy to trace as he gave his correct name.”

They searched the accused’s name and found he had previous convictions for bogus workman-type offences