A serial conman has been jailed again after customers handed over cash for work he had no intention of doing.
One of Jordan Nisbet’s victims was a woman aged 82, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard on Friday.
Nisbet, 22, a prisoner, admitted four charges of fraud involving householders in Murdostoun View, Newmains; Harper Crescent and Rankin Road, Cambusnethan; and Minto Park, Coltness.
The crimes were committed between April 29 and May 28 this year.
Nisbet had been freed early from jail after serving a sentence imposed last year for similar crimes. He was also jailed in 2017, again for posing as a workman.
Scott King, prosecuting, said the latest cases involved Nisbet knocking on doors and offering to carry out guttering work. He asked for money upfront to cover the cost of materials, but never returned.
The four unwitting residents handed over a total of £110.
When one customer asked for a receipt, Nisbet said he would speak to his dad, who he claimed was nearby, but he didn’t return.
Another resident – a woman aged 62 – saw him in the street four days after paying him £40.
She challenged him as he had not returned with £10 change. He promised to carry out the work, but never did.
Eventually the police were alerted and Nisbet was traced. Defence agent Stephen MacBride admitted Nisbet’s record for similar crimes “doesn’t assist him”.
He claimed the dad of three was unemployed and needed money to pay drug dealers.
Mr MacBride told the court: “A member of his family had incurred a rather large drug debt.
“Pressure was put on him and others, including his girlfriend, in regard to this.”
Sheriff Thomas Millar jailed Nisbet for 20 months.
