Councillor denies embezzling cash

A community councillor is to face trial, charged with breaching trust and embezzling almost a quarter of a million pounds.

Alice Duncan, 70, a member of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Community Council in Perthshire, is accused of taking the money. The full charge alleges that between January 1 2011 and October 30 2014, “while in a position of trust to, and whilst holding a power of attorney of, Jean Rossel”, Duncan “did embezzle sums of money amounting to in excess of £241,972 or thereby”. At Falkirk Sheriff Court yesterday, Duncan, of Keip Road, Strathyre, Perthshire, pleaded not guilty.