A BOGUS workman who conned an 80-year-old man out of £2,700 by charging him for building work that was not needing done has been ordered to pay back the money.

Alexander Reid, of Mainhill Road in Glasgow, admitted committing the offence at a house in West Linton between February 12 and February 15.

The 38-year-old pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to pretending to the man that work needed done to his property and obtained £2,700 by fraud.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said that Reid was already known to the police for bogus workman offences.

He described how initially Reid offered to clear out his roanpipes for £50 which the pensioner thought was a good deal.

When he came back on February 13 the pensioner made him and two "roof fitters" a coffee where it was explained that more work had been identified on the roof.

Reid said he would normally charge £3,000 for it but would provide a £300 discount if he received the cash up front as he needed to purchase materials.

A neighbour had noted the van and had noted the registration number and suspicions were raised.

An expert was hired to examine the roof and it was found that the "workmen" had carried out minimal work on the roof and it was not even required to be done.

Reid was traced by his DNA from the coffee cup.

His lawyer said his client accepted full responsibility for his actions.

He admitted the father-of-four had tried to take advantage of his 80-year-old victim.

The lawyer said: "He is fully aware of the impact on the complainant. He is borrowing money from family and friends so he can pay him back."

Sheriff Peter Paterson said the offence would normally attract a custodial sentence.

But he explained that would deprive the householder of getting his money back by way of a compensation order.

He ordered Reid to pay £2,700 in compensation and imposed a Restriction of Liberty Order keeping him in his home between the hours of 8pm and 7am.