Solicitor who embezzled from aunt is facing jail

COURT: William Walls withdrew £269,000 from relative’s bank accounts to keep his law firm afloat

A solicitor who swindled more than £269,000 from his aunt after being put in charge of her finances was told he faces jail.

William Walls was the sole partner in McQuittys law firm in Cupar when he was given power of attorney over the bank accounts of his aunt, Mary Brown.

But with his business in financial peril Walls began plundering her accounts to keep the firm afloat for almost nine years.

Walls’ scheme came undone following a Law Society probe into his business and questions raised by his family about withdrawals from Mrs Brown’s accounts.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard that in some instances Walls had been found to withdraw cash from her accounts at the TSB in Cupar and deposit it in his own account at the nearby Royal Bank.

Depute fiscal Joanne Smith said: “The accused had power of attorney for his late aunt Mary Brown. He was at the time a practising solicitor. He felt he was an appropriate person to take on the roles.

“Mrs Brown went into a care home in 2005 and from December 12 2004 on he had full access to her three TSB bank accounts. During the period libelled he withdrew from these three accounts a total of £269,150.

“These were cash withdrawals from a Cupar branch. The accused’s own RBS branch was within walking distance.

“He would withdraw cash from Mrs Brown’s account and then there would be credits in to his bank account.

“The Law Society became involved in his business and it was found it was failing and the accused admitted using the money to keep matters afloat.

“He admitted responsibility to family members.”

Walls, 62, of Muir Gardens, St Andrews, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of embezzlement committed between December 7 2004 and October 10 2013.

Defence solicitor Simon Collins said: “There are pending Law Society matters calling in the next month. He is no longer practising as a solicitor.

“He is now working as a driver in the golf industry.

“He has cooperated as much as possible and has sold property to make sure the money is repaid.

“He has not practised as a solicitor for years now and has no desire to do so again.

“He was in a position that he was not equipped to deal with and was trying to keep the firm afloat rather than supplementing his lifestyle.

“It wasn’t for personal gain.” Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence until November for social work background reports and released Walls on bail meantime. He said: “I recognise, I think, just how tragic this is from your point of view.

“It is not the way, I’m sure, you would have chosen to end your legal career.

“On the other hand, you will recognise that I have to take the view that you were appointed as attorney on the basis of that status as a solicitor and you don’t need me to recite what’s been said many times about the need for good faith and probity in a Scottish solicitor.

“On any view I do have to consider the possibility of custody.”

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On any view Idohave to consider the possibility of custody. SHERIFF ALASTAIR BROWN

William Walls has been told a jail sentence cannot be ruled out.