Courts in Moray: Workman Graham Thom swindled victims out deposits
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A North-East workman who swindled cash from three clients had been ordered to pay each of them back in full.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that Graham Thom had set up a business called GT Properties which offered various labouring services.
Fiscal depute Victoria Silver stated a householder from Peterhead contacted Thom after seeing an advert on Facebook in February 2021.
A fee of £400 was then agreed for clearing their gutters and roofing.
Thom asked for a deposit of £200 to be paid up front by bank transfer.
Ms Silver said: "Despite numerous attempts by the witness asking for the work to begin or for the money to be refunded, nothing happened."
A householder from Huntly underwent the exact same experience and was also left £200 out of pocket after contacting Thom in March, 2001.
Then, in April, a business in Drummuir agreed an £830 fee for Thom to replace a window, with a £350 deposit paid up front.
Ms Silver said: "The defendant made several appointments to come and do the work but failed to turn up.
"The witness then asked for their money back but was told the deposit was non-refundable."
Defence solicitor Leonard Burkinshaw represented Thom who lives in the village of Bridge of Marnoch, a dozen miles east of Keith.
The lawyer stated his 31-year-old client had some experience in the building industry and had decided to set up the business in order to try help his family.
Thom pleaded guilty to three charges of taking money despite knowing in advance that he had no intention of carrying out the work.
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov ordered Thom to pay all three of his victims their deposits back at the rate of £50 a month.
In addition, she imposed a 7pm-7am curfew on him for the next 145 days.
