Pensioners hit for £3000 by conman

Published on 24/01/2013 12:00

A BOGUS workman conned pensioners out of almost £3000 in a series of “scandalous and disgraceful” crimes.

Edward McDonagh, 46, admitted two charges of obtaining money by fraud after telling vulnerable residents he was going to carry out work at their homes in Livingston.

McDonagh, of Dungannon in Northern Ireland, also had not-guilty pleas accepted to four similar charges when he appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court yesterday.

Elizabeth McGuinness, defending, asked the court to release McDonagh on bail as he had no previous convictions and had brought more than £1500 to court to repay his victims.

But Sheriff Martin Edington said: “What I have heard is absolutely scandalous. I’ve no hesitation in remanding you in custody for the preparation of these reports.”

He adjourned the case to February 7.