Gritter man given three months to pay £5,000 for fraudulent motor-home sale

A council gritter man who pocketed £12,500 after fraudulently selling a motor-home to a woman in 2007 was given three months to pay £5,000.

David Hynes, 50, of Leaside in Mossbank, was working as an agent when he charged his victim £20,000 for a vehicle worth only £7,500.

He had been expected to come up with £5,000 last year but was given an extension to allow his single status payment to come through.

On Wednesday Sheriff Graeme Napier was not best pleased to hear Hynes had splashed out on his daughter’s wedding, and had travelled south to see his parents.

The court heard Hynes had made an arrangement with his victim to pay the money in the new year.

So far Hynes has only stumped up £1,250 since carrying out the offence almost three years ago.

Asked by Sheriff Graeme Napier why he had not paid any of the additional £5,000 as requested, he said it was the council’s fault for failing to come up with his single status payment on time.

He said he had been working overtime on the gritters since December 18th and promised to pay the money back.

Sheriff Napier deferred sentence until 21st April and ordered Hynes to come up with the £5,000 over and above the £1,250 he has already paid.