A Shetland resident who sparked a major search after he disappeared from his croft in North Roe last November has admitted defrauding his wife of more than £11,000.
Colin Arnot, of 20 Stucca, Hillswick, pled guilty by letter at Lerwick Sheriff Court yesterday.
The charge states that between September 2 and December 13 last year, the 55-year-old forged his wife’s signature on a savings account closure form with the investment company Scottish Widows.
He then instructed them to transfer the balance of that savings account into a current account in his wife’s name, from which he withdrew £11,615.67 using a bank card belonging to his wife.
Sheriff Philip Mann said Arnot had offered a lengthy explanation of his actions in his letter to the court, but deferred sentence until June 26 for a personal appearance.
Arnot was reported missing on November 25 last year from his North Roe croft where he and his wife Philippa kept alpaca sheep.
A major search ensued involving the coastguard rescue helicopter and four auxiliary coastguard teams. He was traced in Lerwick a week after he disappeared.
Arnot was also a candidate in the Shetland Islands Council elections in 2012.
