A bogus workman who threatened a procurator fiscal depute in a dispute over payment was jailed yesterday for 35 months.
William McKay, 35, carried out handyman tasks for Georgia Baker between December 5 and 7, 2020. McKay demanded a further £100 from the lawyer which triggered a disagreement.
McKay tried to intimidate his victim by telling her he knew her job and where it was. He also sent chilling messages stating that he would "do" her car and "I'm coming to your door."
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The dad-of-two had conned seven others - including a 66-year-old woman - by agreeing to do work that was not completed and scooping the cash.
These took place at properties in Glasgow, Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, and Erskine, Renfrewshire, between July 2019 and 2021.
McKay pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to five fraud charges and two thefts.
He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation and a single charge of breach of the peace.
The court heard Miss Baker and her partner posted on Facebook looking for a handyman to move as well as build items at their property.
McKay - using the name Frank Ford - responded and carried out the work.
McKay requested a further £100 the next day which started a disagreement.
He sent messages which were "menacing, threatening and abusive."
Prosecutor Mark Allan said: "In the messages McKay identified that he knew what Miss Baker did for a living and where it was that she worked.
"He made various threats to damage her property.
"He stated he would put messages on social media for her neighbours to see and would take legal action before uttering threats to contact her employer."
Miss Baker contacted the police.
McKay arranged with 66-year-old Louise Anderson to do work on her home in December 2019.
She intended to pay him £370 upon completion of the work.
Mr Allan said: "After a short time, he announced that he was going to buy more materials.
"A short time after that, Miss Anderson went into her handbag and found that the £370 has been stolen."
Miss Anderson's daughter Lisa remained in contact with McKay who sent messages that were "derogatory, offensive and threatening" in nature.
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McKay meantime keyed Louise Anderson's car which cost £300 to repair the bodywork.
Three wheels were also slashed which cost £240.
McKay messaged her daughter stating: "How is mum's car?"
The court earlier heard McKay first struck in July 2019 when he answered a request on Facebook for a car mechanic.
McKay took £150 from Rhys Ewing, 32, and he jacked up the vehicle and removed two wheels.
McKay later told Mr Ewing that he needed to attend a garage for parts and did not return - taking the cash.
He answered another Facebook advert in November 2019 posted by 32-year-old Scott Carney who was looking for a handyman.
Mr Carney provided £500 cash for the pair to visit builders' merchants and B&Q for materials.
McKay told the victim that he was going to return after completing another job but never returned.
Mr Carney found out that McKay had returned the items and scooped the cash for himself.
He went on to steal three mobile phones while doing decorating work for Laura Harvey in December 2019.
McKay - posing as Frank Ford - also stole £475 of carpet from Rennie Hutton after arranging to lay it for her at a property in Rutherglen.
McKay - using the name Frank the Handyman - was paid £260 by John Horsley to buy plywood for a job in Erskine in May 2021.
McKay agreed to return the following day but never did.
Angela Hagerty, 60, hired McKay off Facebook in July 2021 to carry work out on her vulnerable son's flat.
He was paid £220 while Miss Haggerty rented a £550 nail gun from a shop.
McKay did not return to do the work and kept the nail gun.
The offence comes five years after McKay pled guilty to causing £15,000 of damage to a house he was supposed to be working on.
McKay was hired by William Gallagher to carry out painting work on the property in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire.
The house - which was to be sold on - was later found to be furnished after McKay moved his family in.
He refused to pay a tenant's agreement after two months of living there and was ordered to leave.
McKay caused £15,000 meantime including laminate flooring being lifted, damage to the bathroom and kitchen cabinets, and graffiti.
A patio table was also cut in half and the garden water feature was knocked over as well as extensive water damage.
McKay was put under supervision for two years and ordered to pay Mr Gallagher compensation.
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