A Perthshire woman has been imprisoned for systematically stealing a significant sum of money, amounting to over £117,000, from her own mother, who was in her nineties and resided in Pitlochry. The shocking case, heard at Forfar Sheriff Court, highlights a profound betrayal of trust within a family setting.
Catriona MacAulay was found guilty of a calculated scheme that saw her illicitly withdraw and divert £117,747.32 from her mother, Phyllis Stewart, over a six-year period. The theft commenced in May 2013 and continued until May 2019, during which time MacAulay exploited her access to her mother’s finances, including bank cards and chequebooks, to make cash withdrawals, settle personal bills, and transfer funds to herself and other family members. A Mother’s Trust Betrayed in Pitlochry
The victim, Mrs. Phyllis Stewart, lived on West Moulin Road in Pitlochry, a tranquil town nestled in the heart of Perth and Kinross. Tragically, Mrs. Stewart passed away in 2020 at the age of 98, never fully recovering from the financial depredations. The period of theft coincided with MacAulay moving in with her elderly mother, ostensibly to provide care and companionship, a detail that further underscores the severity of the breach of trust.
The scale of the theft is particularly striking, considering the vulnerability of Mrs. Stewart due to her advanced age. Cases of financial abuse against the elderly are deeply concerning, especially when perpetrated by those closest to them, and this incident will undoubtedly resonate with residents across Perth and Kinross, reminding them of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding within families. MacAulay’s Defence and the Court’s Decision
During her trial, MacAulay, now residing in Marshall Mews, Perth, attempted to justify her actions. The 63-year-old, who previously held positions at both the Bank of Scotland and RBS, claimed that her mother was a generous individual who willingly provided financial assistance to her and her daughters. She recounted that her father had managed the family’s finances until his death in 2013, after which she took over.
MacAulay detailed various expenditures, suggesting that some funds were used to support one of her daughters on a six-month study trip to Malaysia. Other outlays included tickets for rugby matches at Murrayfield, general household provisions, such as vacuum cleaners, and decorative archways for the ‘huge showpiece’ garden at her mother’s Pitlochry home. She also mentioned significant four-figure cheques written to her daughters, one of which was supposedly for a laptop, and payments for vehicle tax. She asserted that her mother saw her as a full-time carer and wished to compensate her for her services and for maintaining the garden.
However, the jury at Forfar Sheriff Court ultimately rejected MacAulay’s defence, finding her explanations insufficient to account for the substantial sums that had disappeared from her mother’s accounts. The court heard how MacAulay had moved from her Dunblane home to live with her mother in February 2018, citing her mother’s ‘loneliness,’ and also worked part-time with the Clan Donnachaidh Society during this period.
Sheriff Mark Thorley presided over the sentencing, which had been deferred to allow for a social work report. Defence advocate Colin Neilson argued for a non-custodial sentence, highlighting MacAulay’s minimal ‘criminogenic needs’ and her otherwise productive life with two adult daughters. He acknowledged the ‘significant and adverse aspect’ of the six-year duration of the offence on the mother-daughter relationship and pointed out that the offences were now ‘of some age.’ Justice Served for a ‘Gross Breach of Trust’
Despite the defence’s pleas, Sheriff Thorley concluded that the nature and scale of the crime left him with no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. He emphasized the ‘incredibly large sum of money’ involved and the ‘extensive period of time’ over which the theft occurred. Crucially, the Sheriff described MacAulay’s actions as a ‘gross breach of trust,’ a factor that weighed heavily in his decision.
MacAulay was subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison. The court also inquired about the possibility of compensation for Mrs. Stewart’s estate, but it was confirmed that no lump sum was available. This outcome underscores the devastating financial impact on the victim’s estate, a stark reminder of the long-lasting consequences of such crimes.
This case serves as a somber warning about financial elder abuse and the profound damage it can inflict, not only on the immediate victim but also on wider family relationships and community trust within areas like Pitlochry and the broader Perth and Kinross region.
Catriona MacAulay was found guilty of a calculated scheme that saw her illicitly withdraw and divert £117,747.32 from her mother, Phyllis Stewart, over a six-year period. The theft commenced in May 2013 and continued until May 2019, during which time MacAulay exploited her access to her mother’s finances, including bank cards and chequebooks, to make cash withdrawals, settle personal bills, and transfer funds to herself and other family members. A Mother’s Trust Betrayed in Pitlochry
The victim, Mrs. Phyllis Stewart, lived on West Moulin Road in Pitlochry, a tranquil town nestled in the heart of Perth and Kinross. Tragically, Mrs. Stewart passed away in 2020 at the age of 98, never fully recovering from the financial depredations. The period of theft coincided with MacAulay moving in with her elderly mother, ostensibly to provide care and companionship, a detail that further underscores the severity of the breach of trust.
The scale of the theft is particularly striking, considering the vulnerability of Mrs. Stewart due to her advanced age. Cases of financial abuse against the elderly are deeply concerning, especially when perpetrated by those closest to them, and this incident will undoubtedly resonate with residents across Perth and Kinross, reminding them of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding within families. MacAulay’s Defence and the Court’s Decision
During her trial, MacAulay, now residing in Marshall Mews, Perth, attempted to justify her actions. The 63-year-old, who previously held positions at both the Bank of Scotland and RBS, claimed that her mother was a generous individual who willingly provided financial assistance to her and her daughters. She recounted that her father had managed the family’s finances until his death in 2013, after which she took over.
MacAulay detailed various expenditures, suggesting that some funds were used to support one of her daughters on a six-month study trip to Malaysia. Other outlays included tickets for rugby matches at Murrayfield, general household provisions, such as vacuum cleaners, and decorative archways for the ‘huge showpiece’ garden at her mother’s Pitlochry home. She also mentioned significant four-figure cheques written to her daughters, one of which was supposedly for a laptop, and payments for vehicle tax. She asserted that her mother saw her as a full-time carer and wished to compensate her for her services and for maintaining the garden.
However, the jury at Forfar Sheriff Court ultimately rejected MacAulay’s defence, finding her explanations insufficient to account for the substantial sums that had disappeared from her mother’s accounts. The court heard how MacAulay had moved from her Dunblane home to live with her mother in February 2018, citing her mother’s ‘loneliness,’ and also worked part-time with the Clan Donnachaidh Society during this period.
Sheriff Mark Thorley presided over the sentencing, which had been deferred to allow for a social work report. Defence advocate Colin Neilson argued for a non-custodial sentence, highlighting MacAulay’s minimal ‘criminogenic needs’ and her otherwise productive life with two adult daughters. He acknowledged the ‘significant and adverse aspect’ of the six-year duration of the offence on the mother-daughter relationship and pointed out that the offences were now ‘of some age.’ Justice Served for a ‘Gross Breach of Trust’
Despite the defence’s pleas, Sheriff Thorley concluded that the nature and scale of the crime left him with no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. He emphasized the ‘incredibly large sum of money’ involved and the ‘extensive period of time’ over which the theft occurred. Crucially, the Sheriff described MacAulay’s actions as a ‘gross breach of trust,’ a factor that weighed heavily in his decision.
MacAulay was subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison. The court also inquired about the possibility of compensation for Mrs. Stewart’s estate, but it was confirmed that no lump sum was available. This outcome underscores the devastating financial impact on the victim’s estate, a stark reminder of the long-lasting consequences of such crimes.
This case serves as a somber warning about financial elder abuse and the profound damage it can inflict, not only on the immediate victim but also on wider family relationships and community trust within areas like Pitlochry and the broader Perth and Kinross region.