An Aberdeenshire builder has been accused of defrauding a would-be customer out of almost £200,000 by failing to carry out promised work.
The Crown alleges Andrew Forsyth obtained the huge sum by pretending he would construct houses at the Old Balmedie School site in Hill Of Keir.
The 56-year-old is accused of taking £189,788.50 from his client for the work, timber construction frames and insurance to cover the project.
He allegedly had paid nothing to suppliers or for agreed insurance before the alleged offence was reported.
Forsyth, of Kirkton Road in Daviot near Inverurie, is accused of carrying out the fraud between June 5 2015 and January 20 2016, by invoicing the alleged victim through firm A&J Forsyth.
Yesterday at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Graeme Napier agreed to adjourn the hearing for two weeks to allow Forsyth to secure funding for legal representation. The accused made no plea in answer to the charges.
