An ambulance worker stole money from the home of an 81-year-old woman before he took her to a hospital appointment, a court heard yesterday.
John Duff, 41, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court to admit the theft yesterday.
Duff, of 4a Fleurs Drive, Forres, was employed by Scottish Ambulance Service to collect patients from their homes and transport them to various hospitals, including Raigmore Hospital and the Royal Northern Infirmary,
He pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of cash from a house in Cherry Park, Balloch, near Inverness between April 14, 2014 and July 18, 2014.
Fiscal depute Michelle Molley told Sheriff David Hall that the house was occupied by 81-year-old Julia Mackenzie.
Ms Molley said: “Duff was employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service at the time as a care assistant.
“She was alone in the house when he arrived to take her to hospital.
“She has to attend three times weekly for kidney dialysis as she has a serious condition. She will require this treatment for most of her life.”
Sheriff Hall then interrupted Ms Molley’s narrative and asked her: “Was this offence carried out in the course of his employment?”
Ms Molley confirmed it was.
Sheriff Hall then deferred sentence for a criminal justice social background report.”
Duff was ordered to re-appear for sentence on September 17 and he had his bail continued.
Duff denied he committed two other similar thefts and these pleas were accepted by the prosecution.
These are alleged that on April 15, 2014 on a journey between a house in Lawers Way in Inverness and the Royal Northern Infirmary he stole £20, and that on a journey between a house in Cullaird Road, Inverness and the Royal Northern Infirmary, he stole £40.
