Squatter tried to sell cottage after owner's death

A squatter tried to sell the cottage he living in for £70,000, despite not owning the property.

Ewan Turner moved into Kirnie Cottage, Walkerburn, Peebleshire, after noticing it was empty.

Mr Turner, 36, tried to market the two bedroomed property after the owner's death in 2011.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told the court that Mr Turner had been squatting in the property for nine months when he decided to try and sell it.

Mr Turner, from Abbotsford Road, Galashiels, claimed he had spent £8,000 on making the property 'liveable' after he found it lying derelict.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of pretending to be the owner of the cottage between March and May in 2011 and attempting to induce someone to sell it on his behalf and get the proceeds by fraud.

Sentence has been deferred until 17th December for background reports.