A Moray woman has admitted using money withdrawn from her mother’s bank account to cover her own bills – but has denied theft.
Pearl Dewar is accused of stealing more than £80,000 from her mother Jane Gall over six years.
Yesterday at Elgin Sheriff Court the 63-year-old repeatedly denied any knowledge of what happened to the cash while giving evidence.
Fiscal Kevin Corrins produced spreadsheets prepared by Dewar that showed purchases and utility bills for Mrs Gall dating back to 2007.
Mr Corrins pressed Dewar, of Seafield Street in Portknockie, on what had happened to hundreds of pounds a month that were unaccounted for between January 2007 and November 2013.
A recording of a police interview was played that showed the 63-year-old tell officers she gave her mother up to £400 per month and she managed the finances “as instructed”.
But Mr Corrins told Dewar that once taking grocery shops, utility bills and the cash allowance into account there were still thousands missing.
He said: “She [Mrs Gall] doesn’t run a car, doesn’t go out and about, so what’s she doing with all these thousands of pounds?”
Dewar said: “I can’t comment. I do not know.”
Mr Corrins asked: “You can’t give us any suggestions at all?”
Dewar said: “I really can’t comment.”
Dewar called her mother “a liar” when it was put to her that Mrs Gall had no knowledge about the money that had not been accounted for.
But during questioning from her defence solicitor William Adam the former teacher admitted she had used some of the money for herself.
Mr Adam said: “The allegation is that you took the money.
Dewar replied: “I didn’t take it.”
Mr Adam said: “That you kept it for yourself.” Dewar said: “I did not.”
Mr Adam said: “You did say that you used the cash for day to day living expenses and this would be cash that you had withdrawn from your mum’s account. Why were you using this money?”
Dewar replied: “Because it saved me going to the bank to get money because I have been paying for all her goods that I needed reimbursed for.”
The 63-year-old also denied feeling any “entitlement” to the money after caring for her mother for 30 years.
While giving evidence Dewar’s husband, Andrew Dewar, described seeing his wife handing envelopes containing money to her mother.
The trial, before Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov, continues on Monday.
