A ROGUE property developer who tried to defraud pensioner into handing over his £595k home at a knockdown price was branded ‘disgraceful’ by a judge.

Lewis McEwan, 42, walked from court after Recorder John Bate-Williams suspended his two year prison sentence for 18 months.

The Enfield builder was found guilty last month at Oxford Crown Court of conspiracy to defraud a then 72-year-old man in the summer of 2018.

Branded a ‘dishonest developer’ at his trial, McEwan visited the pensioner’s home in Wytham Street just days after another rogue trader, named in court as Geoffrey Simmons, said the only way the man would be able to pay for exorbitant – and, prosecutors argued, unnecessary – repairs was through an equity release scheme.

Following his 30 minute visit, McEwan sent the septuagenarian a letter setting out proposals for just such an equity release scheme.

In exchange for signing over his home, estimated by prosecutors to be worth £595,000, the man would be given £87,500 cash, the repairs would be done and he could live in the 1920s home rent-free for the rest of his life.

The pensioner refused the offer and McEwan asked him to return the letter. Shadowy Simmons, who has never been brought to justice, made repeated attempts via phone to get him to sign – but was unsuccessful.

READ MORE: Father and son rogue builders scammed Oxford OAP out of £23k

Wytham Street, Oxford

Wytham Street, Oxford

The fraud was exposed by another set of rogue traders, father-and-son Charles and Charlie Carman, who reported matters to the police. The Carmans were given suspended prison sentences last year for convincing the OAP to pay thousands for unnecessary work to the house.

Sentencing him yesterday, Recorder Bate-Williams told McEwan: “This was a disgraceful offence in which you sought to take advantage of a vulnerable man.

“At the age of 42 you now have the stain of a serious criminal conviction and the shame you have brought on your partner and your young son.

“By a very narrow margin I have decided I can impose a suspended sentence order.”

READ MORE: Repairs to 1920s home 'not urgent', court hears

In a victim personal statement written earlier this month, the pensioner said of the impact of the frauds committed by the four rogue traders: “I don’t trust anyone anymore.”

McEwan, of Whitewebbs Lane, Enfield, must do 32 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £35,000 in costs to prosecutors Oxfordshire County Council.

Lewis McEwan outside Oxford Crown Court

Lewis McEwan outside Oxford Crown Court

In mitigation, Adam Morgan said at the time of the offence McEwan and his property company, Whitestar Investments, was being chased for £2m after loans were sold by his bank, Allied Irish, to a US-led consortium.

He was forced to take the case to the High Court. “At the time of this offence those proceedings were very much live. Although he was eventually able to settle the case so he could keep the business, the business did incur substantial debts.”

McEwan was said to be remorseful and wanted to apologise to his victim. Three tenants had provided reference praising him as a landlord.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.