Man accused of stealing from pensioners while posing as nurse and handyman

A man is to stand trial accused of stealing from pensioners in a number of alleged frauds.

Robert Markward is said to have posed as, among other things, a handyman, a council worker, a student nurse and a friend of a neighbour to try and trick OAPs in Ayr and Prestwick.

The 64-year-old faced a total of 15 charges at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

Prosecutors state the alleged crimes occurred between December 2022 and March 2023.

Markward is first said to have a put a woman at fear by following her up her path to her front door.

It is claimed he then pretended to the same person two days later that he was a handyman called “Stevie” before getting into her home and stealing a purse holding £350.

He allegedly carried out a similar theft on a 76-year-old woman before it is said he lied to a 71-year-old pensioner that he was her mother’s carer to enter her property.

The indictment states another purse containing £35 was taken from a 78-year-old woman after Markward claimed to be doing electrical maintenance.

Cash and bank books were allegedly stolen from two other elderly females at a retirement complex.

It also said Markward assaulted a worker by pushing and punching him as well as striking him with a gate.

Among the other alleged victims, it is claimed he told one he was an “acquaintance” of her husband to get inside her property.

Markward – who denies the accusations – appeared in the dock for a hearing.

It emerged his previous legal team no longer act for him.

Lord Scott told Markward – given the nature of the charges – he could not represent himself at a trial.

Markward went on to state: “My family are going to get me another solicitor now.”

After an adjournment of the hearing, defence lawyer Darren Fleming spoke with Markward before the case recalled.

Lord Scott set a further hearing for next month in the expectation a new legal team has been arranged.

A trial has been set for June this year.