A BUSINESS boss who conned a motor dealership in Galashiels into handing over a £23,000 vehicle has been jailed for a year.
George McLeod fooled sales staff at DS Dalgleish in Melrose Road into believing he had arranged a bank transfer of the cash.
But he hadn’t – and when checks were made, there wasn’t sufficient money in his account to cover the £23,684 cost of the vehicle.
At Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, the 44-year-old, of Bleachfield Drive, Selkirk, appeared on indictment and pleaded guilty to fraud. .
McLeod, who ran an agricultural plant hire firm, appeared from custody after being remanded at a hearing on March 1.
The court was told that on September 11 and 12, McLeod had pretended to two salesmen that he had arranged a transfer of £23,684 from a Santander bank account in the name of G. McLeod Plant Hire to pay for the vehicle.
The court was also told that McLeod had been allowed to take the vehicle away – but it later transpired he hadn’t arranged for any transfer. Sheriff Kevin Drummond was also told he didn’t have the money to pay.
McLeod said his business was in danger of bankruptcy and admitted he had been foolish and deeply regretted his actions. The jail term was back-dated to March 1.