Linda Dobbie, 50, stole the cash from Anne Beck at various locations in Glasgow between July 2017 and December 2018.Dobbie - who was employed by firm Carr Gomm - told police she used the money to pay back her son's drug debt.The first offender pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to embezzling £20,000 from Miss Beck.
The court heard that Miss Beck - who was aged between 71 and 73 - suffers from reduced mobility and severe mentalIt was stated she suffers from poor understanding due to taking strong medication for most of her life as well as poor hearing. Prosecutor Katie Bell said:"Miss Beck was unaware of this incident which was exploited due to her health condition and carers looking after her finances."The hearing was told a witness became"suspicious" after she discovered that some of Miss Beck's bank statements were missing around December 2018.
Grazia Robertson, defending, told the court that Dobbie received no financial benefit from the embezzlement.He said:"Due to the seriousness, no matter what the background circumstances are it goes without saying this was a gross breach of trust on a vulnerable adult.