A 74-year-old Perth man made a brief appearance in private at the sheriff court yesterday afternoon, charged with forming a fraudulent scheme by attempting to obtain £51,000 from the estate of a 93-year-old local pensioner.
James Heggie, of Castle Place, Letham, made no plea and was his case was continued for further inquiries.
Represented by local lawyer Linda Clark, he was freed on bail meantime.
The detailed charge alleges that Mr Heggie had befriended elderly pensioner Jane Scott, gained her trust and persuaded - and helped - her to revoke the Power of Attorney, held by her granddaughter, and transfer £40,000 to him.
He stated the money would be “held in trust.”
It is also alleged that he visited the OAP after her admission to Perth Royal Infirmary and then attempted to persuade another person to draft a new will for the woman.
He is further accused of pretending that it was the last will and testament of the dead woman - in which the majority of her estate was to be left to Heggie.
It is alleged that the document - and signatures on it - were forged.
He is alleged to have embarked on the fraudulent scheme between July 7, 2017, and December 18, 2017, at houses in Balhousie Street and Oakbank Crescent and the Nationwide Building Society in Perth.
