A Paisley woman narrowly escaped jail time for embezzling £20,000 from her sick father. Claire Morrison, who acted as her father's court-appointed financial guardian, used the funds to help others, but ultimately lost her job and couldn't repay the stolen money.
A Paisley woman narrowly avoided a jail sentence after embezzling £20,000 from her unwell father. Claire Morrison pocketed the cash between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2022 while in the position as a court-appointed financial guardian for her dad. Morrison claimed she used the cash to help others with the intention of repaying.
However, the 42-year-old lost her job and, as well as not being able to repay the funds she had stolen, she continued to take more money from her father’s account while he was in a care home, reports the Paisley Daily Express. Defence agent Paul Lynch told Paisley Sheriff Court, social workers had prepared a “very detailed report” and added Morrison realises “given the seriousness of this offence, the custody threshold has been reached”. Mr Lynch added: “But I seek to persuade you there are alternatives available. “Ms Morrison has never had a custodial sentence before and giving consideration to a community payback order, this could be imposed with a number of requirements including compensation and unpaid work.” Mr Lynch also told the court Morrison could make repayments and added: “Another significant factor is repayment. Ms Morrison has £5,000 she can pay within 28 days as part of a compensation order and offers to make monthly instalments thereafter. This woman wasn’t embarking on a lavish lifestyle. She was helping others.” Sentencing, Sheriff Colin Pettigrew stated: “Although this is your first conviction, Mr Lynch is right to recognise, on your behalf, this is a serious offence. “The court placed you in a position of financial guardian to your dad because of his then and current condition. This offence represents a clear breach of trust the court placed in you and the trust it places in financial guardians. “That being said, I am satisfied you took the money not to fund yourself but to help others with the intention of repaying it but then you lost your job and you couldn’t repay it
EMBEZZLEMENT FINANCIAL GUARDIAN TRUST REPAYMENT CUSTODY
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Woman Faces Jail for Admitting Sex with a Dog, Partner Aiding and AbettingPaige Reaney has pled guilty to having intercourse with a dog on four occasions with her partner's assistance. Both are facing jail time and additional charges, including causing unnecessary suffering to the animal and voyeurism. The case is ongoing at Sheffield Crown Court.
Read more »
Woman Avoids Jail After Drunken Outburst on FlightShirley Devine, who was already on probation for drink driving, launched a foul-mouthed tirade on a flight back from Gran Canaria. After abusive behavior was reported, she was held by police. Judge Elizabeth Nicholls remarked that Devine was 'very fortunate' to avoid jail.
Read more »
Former Glasgow boxer seen wearing movie mask during 'terror' campaign against woman avoids jailRyan McNicol, 42, preyed upon a woman in Glasgow's Parkhead area between 2019 and 2023. He also hurled abusive names towards his victim and restricted her from using the kitchen.
Read more »
Lanarkshire woman who tried to set fire to neighbour's front door over £30 faces jailKenneth Askin discovered a burning match on his doorstep alongside a can of WD40 and an Irn Bru bottle with a white rag stuffed inside and liquid covering his door in November 2022.
Read more »
Woman Who Abandoned Boy in Woodland Avoids JailA 31-year-old woman has been spared jail after abandoning a nine-year-old boy in woodland without basic necessities. She was sentenced to a community payback order and unpaid work.
Read more »
Scots woman who abducted couple amid row over electric bike avoids jailVictim Alana Michie had her wrists tied with shoelaces while Paul Brown had a knife ran down his face, during abduction by Helen Rae and David Wilson.
Read more »