Perthshire community councillor accused of embezzling £241,972.

Perthshire woman accused of taking more than £241,000 from alleged victim

Lawyers representing a community councillor charged with breaching trust and embezzling almost a quarter of a million pounds yesterday won more time to prepare her defence.

Alice Duncan, 70, a member of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Community Council, in Perthshire, is accused of taking the money over a three-and-a-half year period while she held a power of attorney in respect of her alleged victim, named as Jean Rossel.

At Falkirk Sheriff Court, Duncan, of Keip Road, Strathyre, maintained a plea of not guilty to the charge which she first tendered earlier this month.

Her solicitor, Ryan Sloan, said an advocate had been instructed and had met with Mrs Duncan only this week, and there were “a number of legitimate inquiries outstanding”.

Mr Sloan said the defence might require to lead evidence from expert witnesses at Duncan’s trial, and enquiries were under way with estate agents “about a property that was sold in England that is relevant”.

He said he was also trying to source “a suitable surveyor” to provide a report on alterations that had been carried out to Duncan’s home, and social workers and care home workers might be called as defence witnesses.

He added: “Certain matters in Mrs Duncan’s police interview may be subject to objection, and a plea to the relevancy of the libel (allegation) is being considered.”

The full charge alleges that between January 1 2011 and October 30 2014, at her home in the village of Strathyre and elsewhere “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”.

Prosecutor Ruaraidh Ferguson said: “The Crown is fully prepared for trial.”

Sheriff Craig Caldwell agreed to continue the case to a further preliminary hearing on July 17 without yet setting a firm date for the jury trial.

There are a number of legitimate inquiries outstanding. DEFENCE SOLICITOR RYAN SLOAN