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A man who had been pretending to be various professionals in order to scam and steal from elderly victims has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Robert Markward, aged 64, targeted nine vulnerable individuals in Ayrshire between December 2022 and March 2023 by posing as a nurse, a handyman, and an electrician.
Despite the relatively small amounts of money stolen, Judge Lady Ross KC emphasized the severity of Markward’s crimes, stating that the impact “cannot just be measured in pounds sterling.” She condemned Markward for making a career out of dishonest activities, particularly preying on the elderly. She noted that previous sentencing had not deterred him from re-offending and expressed concern that he was likely to commit crimes again upon release.
During the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, the court heard testimonies from victims, including one elderly woman who felt foolish and violated after falling victim to Markward’s scheme. Lady Ross described his offenses as “nasty” and detailed specific incidents where he gained entry into homes under false pretenses, only to steal from unsuspecting victims. Markward’s extensive criminal history involving similar scams dating back to 1996 was also presented in court, with 38 convictions and 106 charges to his name.
Despite Markward’s denial of targeting elderly individuals in this latest trial, his pattern of deceit and exploitation has left a trail of victims and garnered strong condemnation from advocates for the elderly. Adam Stachura, the policy director of charity Age Scotland, expressed relief at the seriousness with which the court viewed such crimes, hoping that the sentencing would serve as a deterrent to others looking to take advantage of vulnerable individuals
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