A CONMAN who illegally pocketed more than £10,000 of his late uncle’s pension was snared – after his own brothers called in police.

Douglas Kinloch had looked after the finances of John Ferry after the 88 year-old passed away in October 2008.

But, the 70 year-old only reported the death to the firm who paid out the pension more than a year later.

This was after 13 extra payments landed into the account of Kinloch’s property company.

The crime emerged as Kinloch pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to fraudulently obtaining £10,017.

It was claimed the OAP took the money to renovate his uncle’s home in the hope of putting it on the market.

Kinloch, of the city’s Carmunnock area, was spared jail after instead being put on probation while ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.

Kinloch and his son had been the executors of Mr Ferry’s will.

His elderly mum Patricia – who also later passed away – had been listed as sole beneficiary.

The court heard it was only in November 2009 he told Astra Zeneca Pension Fund that his uncle had died.

He then failed to return a copy of the death certificate.

Kinloch had by that time saw cash paid into the accounts of Cragwell Finance and Co.

It was his own relatives who later became suspicious of Kinloch and police were alerted.

The fraudster later said he believed his mother had been entitled to the pension for up to a year after his uncle died.

But, he gave no reason why he had provided the wrong date for the death.

The court heard Kinloch told social workers compiling a pre-sentencing report that there was “no planning” involved in the crime.

However, Sheriff Paul Crozier remarked: “There must have been planning...especially when he told the pension company the wrong date of death.”

Kinloch’s lawyer Calum Weir said he had used the cash to “do up” his uncle’s home for it to be sold.

Mr Weir added: “His position is that his finances are extremely precarious and that he is currently spinning plates to keep himself and his wife in their home.”