Man stole £27,000 from elderly aunt with Alzheimer's

A man who stole £27,000 from his elderly aunt with Alzheimer’s has been tagged for nine months.

John Neilson, 44, took the cash by using the woman’s bank card at ATM machines between November 2021 and September 2022 in Glasgow.

The city’s Sheriff Court heard Neilson was allowed to be a financial guardian for the 83-year-old who resides at a care home in Shettleston.

As part of the process, Neilson was required to submit an “inventory” of his aunt’s account to the offices of public guardian.

He also signed a legal declaration for integrity reasons that his and his aunt’s finances would be kept separate.

As of December 15, 2021, an inventory of the woman’s account was not received.

Two reminders were sent – one of which was partially responded to with a bank statement and covering letter. Another letter in July 2022 was not responded to.

Prosecutor Victoria Keel said: “Concerns were raised about Neilson by the offices of public guardian about spending on the account as it did not reflect [the woman].

“The offices thought that she was not receiving benefit of her funds and was at risk of financial exploitation.”

The Bank of Scotland put safeguards on the account which stopped Neilson’s access to it on September 9, 2022.

Ms Keel stated that the depleted figure from the account was £27,614.52.

Neilson was asked to account for the expenditure but no response was received.

The matter was then raised with the police and Neilson was arrested.

He acknowledged that he had sole possession of his aunt’s bank account.

The hearing was told that the money had been paid back through an insurance company.

First offender Neilson, of the city’s Tollcross, pled guilty to embezzlement.

His lawyer Paul McCormick told the sentencing hearing that his client has suffered from recent health problems.

The lawyer added: “It is clear the custodial threshold has been passed but the social worker has presented a direct alternative to custody in terms of a robust community payback order.”

Sheriff Joan Kerr ordered the restriction of liberty order to run between 8pm and 7am for the nine-month period.

She said: “It is clear that [your aunt] was extremely kind to you and when she became one of the most vulnerable in our society you took advantage of the situation.

“This was a very serious crime indeed.”