A BOGUS builder from Clackmannan took almost £6000 for household jobs then disappeared with the money, a court has heard.

Con-man Scott Gardner took payments from home owners for work he never carried out.

The 41-year-old, of Garden Terrace, appeared for sentencing at Alloa Sheriff Court.

The victims included a couple whose son was a friend of Gardner, as well as a couple who were complete strangers.

Gardner admitted that on November 30, 2020 at Newburgh, Fife, he pretended to a man and woman that he would renovate a bathroom, the truth being he had no intention of doing so and he obtained £2500 from them by fraud,

Then at Galan, Alloa, he pretended to a woman that he would build an outhouse in her garden between February 1 and February 28, 2021, but failed to complete the agreed work having been paid and he obtained £3100 by fraud.

At West James Street, Alva, he pretended to a couple that he would renovate their bathroom between February 1 and February 28, 2021, but failed to complete the work and obtained £250 by fraud.

Defence solicitor Michael Lowrie said: "What seems to happen is he takes the money for the work but when things go awry in his life he cuts and run."

Sheriff Neil Bowie imposed a community payback order with three years of supervision and 270 hours of unpaid work.

Gardner, who is on benefits, was also ordered to pay a total of £3250 in compensation between the victims.

The sheriff acknowledged this was not full compensation but pointed out that other legal options were available to recover losses.