Conman joiner defrauded nearly 70 people across Scotland in summerhouse scam

A conman joiner scammed nearly 70 people across Scotland, some in their 60s and 70s, out of more than £100,000 by breaking his promises to build garden sheds and summerhouses.

Falkirk-based Alistair Baxter, 36, advertised on social media, took orders and pocketed deposits from victims as far afield as Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Stirling Sheriff Court was told that people who Baxter told would get cabins, garden summerhouses and sheds never received them.

Several who paid large deposits received phone calls from Baxter asking for yet more money before their garden buildings were put up, but though they paid, they still were not erected.

When people complained and asked for their money back, many got only partial refunds or, often, no refund at all.

Some received deliveries of materials, but no construction work took place.

Others who had previously successfully had summerhouses erected by Baxter’s company, AB Garden Building Ltd., with a registered office in California, Falkirk, went on to pay extra for enhancements or improvements but they were never carried out and they lost their money.

Prosecutor Jamie Hillend said that between September 2020 and March 2024, Baxter defrauded customers of a total of £110,000.

One man who complained to Baxter found himself blocked on Facebook, and another received a message from him saying, “You’re not getting your shed, ha ha ha,” and no refund.

Baxter, of Falkirk, appeared by video link from Low Moss Prison. He pleaded guilty to fraud, had his sentence deferred for reports, and his remand continued.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton told him: “This is a despicable course of behaviour. Approaching 70 customers have been defrauded with little or no intention on your part to carry out any work.”

He warned Baxter to expect a “lengthy custodial sentence.”

Hinting that he might remit the case to the High Court for sentence, he added: “You can expect that it will be significant, and may or may not be within the powers of this court to impose.”