POLICE in Ayrshire have said a conman and his scamming partner will now face the "consequence of their despicable actions" after they were jailed for defrauding elderly and vulnerable victims across Scotland.

Derek Moore, 42, received a prison term of 13 years and six months, while Julie Ann McQuade was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment, for offences including fraud, theft and impersonating a police officer.

The pair pleaded guilty in May after spending nearly two weeks on trial at Ayr Sheriff Court before admitting to a series of offences committed between August 2021 and February 2022, in which they obtained £252,800 by fraud.

The Advertiser previously reported that both would be sent to the High Court for sentencing after a sheriff in Ayr decided she didn’t have the power to issue a severe enough punishment.

Moore scammed a 70-year-old man in Dundonald out of £50,000 by first pretending to be a member of a bank’s fraud team, and then by going to his home and impersonating a police officer.

Moore admitted eight charges, while 31-year-old McQuade pleaded guilty to one.

READ MORE: 'Despicable' fraudster who conned Ayrshire OAP out of £50k jailed for 13 years

Moore and McQuade called members of the public pretending to be police officers, alerting them to fraudulent activity on their account.

In the phone call, personal questions were asked for security reasons, allowing the pair access to the bank account in question.

Moore was also convicted of firearms offences, while police recovered heroin worth almost £2,000 from a flat in Rutherglen two years ago.

Police Scotland say work by Ayrshire officers led to their arrests after properties were searched in Hamilton and Rutherglen in February 2022.

Police say the pair are responsible for the theft of more than £214,000 from members of the public across Scotland.

Detective Inspector Ross Black, who led the enquiry, said: “Moore and McQuade targeted the elderly and vulnerable members of our communities, and it is right that they will now face the consequence of their despicable actions.

"We want to take this opportunity to remind members of the public to be aware of scams and take precautions to avoid becoming a victim.

“These scams are not always easy to spot and anyone can be fooled. These criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations, and the police. Often they have details about a person they shouldn’t convincing people they are legitimate.

“If in doubt hang up and contact the bank using the phone number on the back of your card or official paperwork. If the caller is genuine, they will understand your hesitation, don’t feel pressured to handing over details or withdrawing money.”

When both previously appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court, Sheriff Foran said: “Given the timing of the pleas, my view here is there is no question of a discount [in sentence]. All charges are serious. Those involving fraud in the hundreds of thousands of pounds were not all successful, but the intent was there.

“The focus was on older people whose sense of good citizenship and trust was wickedly abused, leaving them feeling vulnerable and foolish.

“More significant are the charges involving firearms. Mr Moore was perfectly implicated in this.

“This goes beyond simple greed and enters a more sinister world.

“In my view this must be marked by a sentence exceeding my powers, and for that reason I will remit the case to the High Court.

“Ms McQuade, you are in a different situation, but as co-accused your fate will ultimately be decided at the High Court.”

Moore was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, September 24, where he was described as "very much a foot soldier" in the criminal scheme.