Conman to stay in custody

Duncan Flett, described as an old-fashioned conman at a previous hearing, met the woman via a dating agency and visited her at her Lauder home in November 2018.

While there, he came across two Bank of Scotland cards and used them to pay bills at four hotels in Edinburgh.

The court also heard that Flett, giving an address in Leith in Edinburgh, had an extensive list of previous convictions.

Flett pleaded guilty to a charge of forming a fraudulent scheme to pay hotel bills using bank cards without their owner’s knowledge or consent.

He had failed to show up at a previous hearing for sentence, leading to a warrant being granted for his arrest.

The court was told he is currently on remand in relation to another fraud allegation.

Defence lawyer Colin Severin admitted his client had used the bank cards to fuel his alcohol habit as he leads a “chaotic lifestyle”.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until February 3 for a fresh criminal justice social work report to be prepared.

No application for bail was made so Flett was remanded in custody.