One of Scotland's worst conmen with 100 convictions strikes again on prison leave
Robert Markward, who specialises in conning the elderly, tricked nine pensioners by posing as a student nurse, handyman and electrician, swiping cash, purses and bank cards.
Robert Markward
One of Scotland's worst conmen has been jailed again - as a judge stated he "specialised in preying on the elderly".
Robert Markward - who already had more than 100 convictions - was on home leave from prison when he committed his latest crimes.
The 64 year-old duped nine victims by posing as a student nurse, a handyman and an electrician to steal cash, purses and bank cards from the homes of pensioners in Ayrshire.
A man alerted to how he had targeted one OAP physically tackled him, but Markward lashed out by pushing and punching him.
The serial crook was back in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, August 12.
(Image: Crown Office)
He had earlier been convicted after a trial in Kilmarnock of 10 charges of dishonesty, theft and fraud.
The offences occurred between December 2022 and March 2023 at sheltered and retirement accommodation.
It was Markward's fifth high court conviction all for similar crimes.
These included a six year sentence in 2005 when he targeted pensioners by claiming to be a priest and a hospice worker.
Markward was jailed for 10 years in 2016.
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He had claimed at that case police and prosecutors were "pure rude" and "telling lies" - but he was caught for one of those thefts after dropping his bus ticket at the scene.
Lady Ross sentenced him to a total of nine years for these latest "nasty" incidents.
She told Markward: "You have made a career out of crimes of dishonesty. You have specialised in preying on elderly people. You are prepared to be violent when challenged."
Lady Ross said she had read emotional impact statements including one from the daughter of an elderly victim.
The judge: "For a while she felt stupid allowing someone she did not know into her flat, but he was convincing and trusted him.
"She is a strong sensible lady, but this event has shaken her confidence in strangers."
Lady Ross remarked this set of offences included being at the same sheltered housing complex Markward had originally targeted in earlier offences more than 20 years ago.
She further paid tribute to the "bravery" of the man who confronted violent Markward.
The most recent targets of Markward were aged between 64 and 99.
In one, he pretended to be a handyman called Stevie to steal a purse containing £350.
Markward also tricked another OAP by claiming to be a friend of her late neighbour.
A number of the crimes were committed on the same day at sheltered accommodation in Ayr. Other offences occurred in nearby Prestwick.
Like previous cases, Markward had again insisted he was not guilty His KC Gillian Ross today said: "In line with his evidence (at trial), he continues to deny his involvement.
"There can be no denying that, in part, the (pre-sentencing) social work report does not reflect well on him given his denial.
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"It states that he takes no responsibility and, thereafter, lacks any insight."
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