Ok, here's the information I got back.
The lad in question is approximately three years old according to the vet that neutered him. The reason the lady can't keep him is she already has three cats and quite sensibly thought about whether or not she could afford another "full time" cat, and decided it wasn't practical.
He apparantly was getting beaten up a lot by other cats, which is the main reason she caught and neutered him. And he lets you stroke him but is understandably nervous at present!