Court issues arrest warrant

Man is accused of embezzling £60k

But she added: “It appears he’s not there.

“That’s not to say there may be other difficulties.”

Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson said the indictment had “a chequered history.”

She asked for a warrant to be granted for Macmillan’s arrest, given he was “aware” of the court date - and his lawyer had spoken to him yesterday.

She explained the case was calling by way of a Section 76 letter pleading guilty.

Macmillan faces a charge alleging that between July 24, 2009, and March 31, 2014, at Abbey Road and Perth Road, both Scone, High Street, South Street, South Methven Street, Crieff Road and Edinburgh Road, all Perth, as well as High Street, Auchterarder, while having power of attorney over Ruby McMillan’s affairs - she was born on January 16, 1934 - he embezzled £60,000.

At an April 17 court hearing last year, concerns were expressed that he might have harmed himself but he was later traced by police - “safe and well” - in Carseview Hospital.

He first appeared on indictment at Perth Sheriff Court the week before - on April 10, 2018.

His case was continued for a week to allow his lawyer to get a report from his GP to determine whether he was fit to give instructions.

That followed a “history of mental health problems over a number of years.”

The court heard that Macmillan had been a “voluntary patient” at Carseview last year.