A Kinross-shire workman tried to scam an elderly Alzheimer’s patient out of £4,500 in a swiftly-rumbled cheque scam.
Landscaper Mark McPhee took a blank cheque he had been given to buy materials but instead tried to cash the four-figure sum at a bank.
The boozed-up crook wasn’t given a penny and his victim was promptly notified of his callous attempt.
He appeared at Perth Sheriff Court via a video link from HMP Perth and was sentenced to a community payback order.
Cheque check
McPhee, 34, of St Serf’s Place in Crook of Devon, previously pled guilty to committing the forgery offence on February 6 last year, while he was on bail.
He uttered as genuine a cheque on which the name had been forged and tendered it to Bank of Scotland hoping to receive £4,500.
Fiscal depute Andrew Harding said: “The complainer in this matter is elderly, suffering early onset Alzheimer’s.
“On February 7 2024, a friend of the complainer noticed that the complainer’s handbag was not where it normally would be.
“It was found that three cheques were missing from the complainer’s cheque book.
“On February 8, the complainer received a letter advising that one of these cheques had been attempted to be cashed, to the value of £4,500.
“The cheque was written payable to Mark McPhee.”
‘Not very sophisticated’
Solicitor Alan Davie said: “Mr McPhee advises that he had previously carried out work for the complainer.
“He had been at her address about a job and that he was provided with the blank chequebook by the complainer.
“He tells me it was his intention to purchase materials.
“Later in the day, he unfortunately consumed a quantity of alcohol – he’s someone who has a significant alcohol dependency.
“He made the decision to fill out the cheque and try to pay that to himself. It’s clearly not a very sophisticated fraud.
“It’s fortunate that the bank were alert to this and he was unable to obtain any funds as a consequence.
“It’s a breach of trust. Had he been sober, he wouldn’t have acted in that way.
“Clearly alcohol is a feature in him making that terrible decision.
“He can only apologise for his conduct there and very much regrets that, he recognises that custody will be an option.”
Mr Davie labelled the offence “serious” and explained his client has been on remand since April 30.
Sentenced
Sheriff Clair McLachlan placed McPhee under supervision for 18 months and ordered him to complete 250 hours of unpaid work in the next year.
The sentence, imposed as a direct alternative to custody, also includes an alcohol treatment requirement.
She said: “I think you’ve recognised that this was a breach of trust involving a vulnerable adult.”
McPhee was also sentenced for four other offences.
He was admonished for three bail breaches and placed on a three-month 7pm to 7am curfew for acting in a threatening or abusive manner.
On December 10 in 2023, he arrived at his partner’s home in Saline at 1.50am uninvited, repeatedly struck the door demanding entry, stating there was a warrant out for his arrest.
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