Crook in dock after couple con

An electrician charged a Motherwell couple more than £5,000 for a new kitchen which was never installed.

Ge r a rd Devanney was handed an unpaid community work order at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.

Devanney, 52, of Holmwood Park, Crossford, was found guilty of taking the cash for a new kitchen and associated electrical work with no intention of carrying out what he’d promised.

The court heard that during the spring of 2017 he told Andrew and Elaine Burton he had ordered kitchen components for their home in Chesters Crescent, Motherwell.

However, no one arrived to do the work and after getting fed up with Devanney’s excuses the customers went to the police.

Devanney denied any criminal intent and his lawyer, Ali Murray, said he was embarrassed by the episode.

Mr Murray told the court: “He had a cash flow problem. He refers to the complainers as a lovely couple and feels he let them down.

“He has repaid them. He is contrite, embarrassed and very concerned as to what the outcome of this court case might be.

“Other than road traffic matters, he has no previous convictions and I would invite the court to be as lenient as possible.

“He has let himself down very badly and tarnished his reputation in the Lanarkshire area.”

Sheriff David Hall said Devanney deserved credit for paying back the fourfigure sum.

He ordered him to do 100 hours of unpaid community work within three months.