Builder swindled elderly customers in fraud scam

A rogue builder from Perthshire who carried out a string of callous frauds against vulnerable and elderly victims was yesterday ordered to hand over £150,000 under a confiscation action.

The money will be distributed among those ruthlessly targeted by Patrick Young after the court granted a compensation order.

Young, 59, was jailed for eight years and nine months in 2015 after admitting a series of bogus workman crimes involving unnecessary works, claims and overcharging that netted £350,000.

During a four-year period from September 2009, he amassed £536,000 in income from his criminal scheme although he did carry out some work. He also attempted to get a further £43,000 by fraud.

Following Young’s conviction the Crown raised a proceeds of crime action against him to claw back illegal profits.

After a succession of court callings the action was due to go to a final hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh today.

But advocate depute Dan Byrne told judge Lady Carmichael: “I am pleased to advise this matter has reached a settlement.”

Mr Byrne said it was now agreed that Young’s benefit from general criminal conduct was £747,099.81 and the available amount for a confiscation order was £150,000. The assets included more than £25,000 in “tainted gifts”.

He also asked the court to make a compensation order which will allow the proceeds of the confiscation action to be distributed to victims.

The advocate depute said Young would be given six months to pay the confiscation order but the Crown would not oppose an extension for a further six months. The judge agreed to make the orders sought.

Young, formerly of Ashmill House, Stirling Road, Doune, fleeced 12 victims during his crime spree.

Lord Matthews, who jailed him, told him: “Your crimes resulted in significant financial loss to many of your victims but the emotional and psychological loss which must have resulted is incalculable.”

The judge added: “I cannot detect any real expression of remorse.”

Young’s first victim was Katharine Listor of Gartocharn, a widow who was aged 79 when he first came into contact with her. He preyed on her for two and a half years and took more than £132,000 from her for work truly valued at £58,000.

Young went on to find further victims in Edinburgh and Stirlingshire, including a 90-year-old widow who paid up £4,670 for sub-standard work that at its most was worth £3,000.