A Ballingry tradesman took money for a job but never did the work.

As a result, 45-year-old Dennis Currie, of Kirkland Avenue, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He faces a charge that between 6th June and 5th September 2022 at Kings Road, Rosyth, he pretended to a man that he would carry out work for him and obtained £637 by fraud.

Representing himself, Currie told his version of what had happened.

He said: “I took the money and didn’t do the work. That was a one-off and it was because I was going through a difficult period.

“I’ve never done that before in 25 years. I took the money and didn’t go back due to personal circumstances.”

Currie said he had not paid back any of the money but could reimburse the victim within a month.

Sheriff Krista Johnston continued the case without plea until 20th September.

This was for Currie to pay the money back to the victim.

If that is done, the Crown will then decide how to proceed with the case.