TV scam man conned £800 off his victim

A MAN stole hundreds of pounds from a woman in a city centre street who thought she was buying new televisions from a major department store.

Karen Ramsey handed over £800 after agreeing to buy the sets, which the seller said were John Lewis “end of line” items.

But after claiming to fetch paperwork, Barrie Applebay vanished with the cash.

Applebay, of Lowther Avenue, County Durham, yesterday pleaded guilty to obtaining £800 from Mrs Ramsey by fraud on August 4 last year.

Fiscal Depute, Fiona ­Caldwell, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court Mrs Ramsey had received a telephone call the previous day from a man ­calling himself “Tony” offering to sell her two televisions sets for £800.

She arranged to meet him in Little King Street, and handed over the cash in an envelope.

Applebay said he was going to get the paperwork and “would be back in a couple of minutes”, but did not return.

The court heard that the £800 cash has never been recovered.

Sheriff James Scott deferred sentence for background reports and remanded Applebay in custody.