Woman admits taking £4k from adults in care

A care worker who stole more than £4,000 from two of her service users was remanded in custody pending the preparation of a background report.

Margaret Macdonald, 56, of Oldtown Road in Inverness, appeared from custody at the city’s sheriff court on Monday and admitted stealing £4,030 between January 7, 2014, and April 27, 2015, from two vulnerable adults in her care.

She was employed by the Richmond Fellowship at the time.

Fiscal depute Robert Weir told the court that Macdonald’s round-theclock duties included accessing the finances of the two people as well as ensuring their physical and mental health wellbeing.

He said: “It transpired through other members of staff after anomalies appeared in the cash books for two of the adults. Carers were authorised to attend relevant banks and remove cash. She was identified as a suspect and on July 25, 2015, was interviewed.by police.

“She made full admissions at the time that she entered incorrect amounts in the clients’ receipt books.”

Defending, Neil Wilson confirmed that his client had failed to appear for a number of previous court hearings in relation to the case because “she buried her head in the sand”.

He also recognised that it was a “gross breach of trust” and suggested that Sheriff Margaret Neilson may require a background report on Macdonald before sentencing.

He added: “She has sent cheques for £2,000 to each of the people involved but they have not been cashed.”

Macdonald will reappear on October 5.