A bogus workman, who preyed on an 84-year-old woman in Dunfermline, has been jailed for 12 months.
Edward McCallum was caught in the act by police after they were alerted by suspicious bank staff.
The victim had gone to the bank to withdraw £680 for repairs to her kitchen ceiling, which were not required.
McCallum, 24, of The Hallows, Kirkcaldy, had denied any wrong-doing but was found guilty of attempted fraud after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last month.
McCallum had taken Jean Semple to Dunfermline town centre to withdraw the cash but his scam failed because of the quick actions of bank staff.
He had denied that on December 15 at Rose Crescent, Dunfermline, while acting with others, he pretended to Miss Semple that remedial work was required to her ceiling, the truth being the work was unnecessary, he pretended to carry out work that was unnecessary, drove her to the bank to withdraw cash and attempted to induce her to pay £680 by fraud.
The court heard Miss Semple, returned home from a night at the theatre on Sunday December 13 at around 10pm to find McCallum on her roof.
She already knew him as he had previously done work for her, after repeatedly turning up on the doorstep.
Miss Semple, now 85, said McCallum told her he wanted to look at her kitchen and came back the next day.
He got up on a stool, knocked on the ceiling a few times and told her one corner “needed attention” costing £680.
When McCallum returned, he had a young man with him and claimed there was a delivery of building materials which would have to be paid for.
Miss Semple gave McCallum £40 and offered to pay the rest by cheque but he said he would take her to the bank.