An Armagh man, who a court heard was “the biggest rogue on two feet”, was ordered to pay £1,970 which was owed for work carried to his property.
John Cauley, 44, of Mullacreevie Park, appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday charged with obtaining services dishonestly.
Cauley had enlisted a tradesman to install PVC windows at his home in March of last year.
After paying an initial deposit of £2,000, Cauley then refused to pay the outstanding £1,970.
The tradesman, on several occasions attempted to collect payment from Cauley, with the defendant informing him he “was the definition of a miser” and “didn’t pay people”.
District Judge Paul Copeland stated “the defendant is a convicted thief and burglar, with a history of fraud and dishonesty”.
Judge Copeland went further saying that Cauley was “at very least a rogue trader but more aptly a confidence trickster”.
The court also heard the Judge describe Cauley’s actions “fraud of the meanest type”, ordering him to pay back the full amount of £1,970 ahead of sentencing on March 6.
