Pensioner in funeral ban for daughter

A PENSIONER has banned her own daughter from attending her funeral after she stole almost £40,000 from her bank account.

Jane Gall discovered that 63-year-old Pearl Dewer had plundered her savings over six years.

She was supposed to be caring for her elderly mother but was pilfering cash from her savings instead.

Her deception only came to light when Dewer’s brother John took control of their housebound mother’s finances in 2013.

Yesterday he branded his sister, who used to help prisoners learn about budgeting money, a “parasite” and “delusional”.

Dewar, of Portknockie, Moray was found guilty of stealing from her mother after a trial at Elgin Sheriff Court.

Mrs Gall, of Bridge of Don, thanked the jury for convicting her daughter. She said: “I used to live in dread of my own daughter visiting me and I am just so glad the truth is finally out in the open.

“No-one will ever know the full extent of the lies and hurt she has caused me all these years. I am so glad I finally spoke out and just so happy that I will never have to see her ever again.

“I have made it very clear in my will that when I do depart this life, I have no desire for either her or her husband to be present.”

Dewar tried to blame her mother for the missing thousands of pounds.

She claimed her mother had “ridiculous” spending habits and would often host lots of guests at her home.

Bank statements showed that nearly £110,000 was withdrawn from Mrs Gall’s account between January 2007 and November 2013.

Sentencing was deferred until next month. Pictures from our archive