A serial fraudster who felt there might be ”rich pickings” in St Andrews during the recent Dunhill Links Championships has been jailed.
Cupar Sheriff Court heard Londoner Alexander Oronsaye’s efforts to dupe staff at a jeweller’s store went awry when a bit of native Cockney began to infiltrate his carefully prepared American accent.
The 45-year-old had obtained almost £4,000 worth of watches at a store on Bell Street prior to being rumbled.
In a desperate bid to escape a spell behind bars, the repeat offender even presented the sheriff with a note addressed to ”Sir honourable judge”.
The letter opened with the remark: ”I am a 45-year-old man and should know better.”
Oronsaye, who has numerous previous convictions for crimes of dishonesty, insisted he had only travelled to St Andrews to watch the golf and claimed to have fallen in with a bad crowd who had effectively corrupted his good intentions.
”I got caught up with some youngsters in this fraud and fell stupidly into their promises by chance,” his letter continued. ”It was a big mistake on my part … I am begging you for your leniency. I am sincerely sorry. May God continue to bless you.”
However, Sheriff Jack Brown said he did not ”for one minute” believe Oronsaye had come north purely as a result of his love of golf.
Depute fiscal Brian Robertson described how Oronsaye used credit cards in another man’s name to order expensive items from Watch (Joe Cool Ltd) on Bell Street.
After phoning to purchase the items he then turned up to collect them during the recent Dunhill championship. However, he was caught out when his American persona let him down.
”The accused attended at the shop to pick up the watches and was initially trying to put on an American accent,” Mr Robertson told the court. ”However, as matters progressed he got worked up and his accent changed, becoming more English.”
Concerned staff eventually called the police and Oronsaye was traced a short time later.
The accused’s solicitor insisted he had come to Fife ”primarily” to watch the golf.
”He is extremely remorseful over his involvement in this matter,” the defence agent said.
”Mr Oronsaye tells me he has no interest in continuing his previous fraudulent behaviour … he wants to turn his life around.”
The solicitor said Oronsaye had recently secured his first job in 15 years a part-time position at an adventure playground.
”He wants the chance to change his life,” she continued.
Sheriff Brown said: ”I do not for one second believe you fell under the spell of some youngsters in relation to this,” he said. ”Nor do I believe you came to St Andrews just to watch the Dunhill golf. I believe you attended because you thought there may be rich pickings during that time.”
Sheriff Brown concluded that he had ”no hesitation” in jailing Oronsaye and he was duly sentenced to a spell of nine months behind bars.