A bank manager helped herself to £123,000 from an elderly customer’s savings account.
But Ann-Marie McCafferty avoided prison this week after a sheriff accepted she was the victim of domestic abuse and under “severe” strain at the time.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard the mum of one went on holiday after transferring the cash to various accounts.
When a colleague texted her to query the missing money, she replied: “Sorry. At the beach. Bad reception.”
McCafferty, 36, of Shotts, admitted embezzling £123,634 while a Bank of Scotland manager in 2017 and 2018.
The 79-year-old man had met her at the branch in Shotts to submit a change of address.
Later he asked a member of staff to check his savings account balance and was shocked to find it was only £8,000.
An investigation revealed money had been transferred on three occasions and it couldn’t be found in any other accounts held by the customer.
Suspicion fell on McCafferty as only the manager or a high-ranking employee would have been able to override the usual identification procedures.
In August 2018 she texted a colleague to say she wouldn’t be at work as she was “in a bad way mentally”.
She later admitted she’d taken the money and used some of it to pay debts.
Defence agent Elspeth Forrest produced a report from a doctor that showed McCafferty’s partner at the time “had a hold on her” and had subjected her to “abusive and threatening behaviour”.
Mrs Forrest added: “She was being controlled significantly by this man.
“I’m astonished he was never interviewed by the police about the money.”
The solicitor added that her client is in a position to pay back £90,000 to the bank.
Sheriff Thomas Millar was told that the victims were reimbursed by the bank and did not wish McCafferty to be jailed.
The sheriff ordered her to do 250 hours of unpaid community work as an alternative to custody.
He told McCafferty: “Prior to the offence you were honest and hard working. You led a blameless life.
“It’s clear that you were subjected to domestic violence for some time.
“You were under severe pressure and strain, and there is reference to PTSD, severe depression and anxiety.”
McCafferty faces a Proceeds of Crime hearing in January.
A Bank of Scotland spokeswoman told Lanarkshire Live : “Keeping our customers’ money safe is our priority.
"We always cooperate fully with the police and courts to pursue those responsible for fraud and help ensure justice for victims.”