The family of an Erskine pensioner who was robbed of £3,500 from a bogus worker have told of their delight that the conman has been ordered by a court to repay the cash.
Archibald Brown pretended to Margaret McPherson that he would install a new wet room bathroom at her mum Betty’s home in Sempill Avenue in Erskine in 2023. However, the 55-year-old conman pocketed the cash that was paid to him for “materials” and simply never returned to carry out the work.
Brown appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on Thursday to be sentenced after pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining £3,500 from Betty McPherson and £2,000 from Mr and Mrs Boyce from Blantyre, South Lanarkshire; claiming he used the money to “repay” debt he owed drug dealers.
Brown’s plea of not guilty to fraudulently obtaining £1,739 from a woman in Catrine, East Ayrshire, was accepted by the Crown.
Sheriff Thomas McCartney ordered Brown to repay Ms McPherson £3,500 by making him subject to compensation order and this move was welcomed by her daughter, Margaret, and her son, David.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing at the town’s court, Margaret told the Paisley Daily Express of her delight that the family finally had closure.
She explained that she sought the work of Brown after her mother had taken a serious fall. Brown had been recommended after carrying out works at neighbour’s properties.
She said: “Mum was 85 at the time and she broke her knee after having a bad fall in the house. She was in hospital for six weeks and, when she was allowed out, we got a stairlift installed to help her get up and down the stairs.
“But she was having difficulty getting in and out the shower and it was really getting to her; it was getting her down. So, we got Archibald Brown, otherwise known as Stuart Brown, to come out to install a wet room for mum to make it easier for her.
“He had done work at two of our neighbours so we trusted him and his work looked great so we thought we were in good hands.
“He showed us examples of boards and quoted us £4,500 and stated he needed £3,500 to buy materials as he didn’t have an account for the place we liked the stuff from.
“Well, he never turned up and there was repeated excuse after excuse as to why. After all this time, and him failing to attend court at a trial diet, I am glad it’s all over and mum will be glad as it has been nothing but stress for her.”
Meanwhile, David added: “Mum had been stressed throughout the whole process but that was a good outcome today. We are pleased with that and pleased we will get the money back.
“We were happy to accept payments as it’s not about the money, it’s the principal and, at the end of the day, he took money from an 85-year-old woman.”
Paisley Sheriff Court heard that between March 1, 2023 and May 18, 2023, Brown was hired to do bathroom works at a property in Blantyre. He was transferred £2,000 from Mr and Mrs Boyce but never turned up to do the work.
Fortunately, the bank was able to reverse the transaction and refund the couple in this case.
Between August 1, 2023 and October 14, 2023, Brown was sent money for materials by Ms McPherson but failed to carry out the agreed work. The money was never returned and the bank was unable to reverse the transaction.
Brown’s defence agent told the court he feels “deeply ashamed”. He added: “At the time, he was suffering from over-use of illicit substances, mainly cocaine, and was struggling to make ends meet and owed money to drug dealers.”
Sheriff McCartney slammed Brown, stating: “You took sums in the thousands of pounds from householders under the pretence you’ll be starting home improvements for them and never carried out this work.
“This is a matter the court takes a serious view of. I’m just persuading myself that I don’t need to send you to prison for the gravity of the offences. I will impose a direct alternative.”
Brown, of Chapel Crescent in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, was ordered to carry out 280 hours of unpaid work in the community.
He was also ordered to repay £3,500 to Ms McPherson within six months and made subject to supervision of the social work department for nine months.
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