A woman stole thousands of pounds from her own dad as he battled dementia.
Catriona Anne Fitzsimmons embezzled £13,000 after being granted power of attorney over his financial affairs following the diagnosis and the death of his wife.
The 61-year-old admitted taking Neil MacKinnon's cash over a 17-month period after it is believed she sold his Glasgow flat and moved with him to Carolway on the Isle of Lewis to care for him, the Sunday Mail reports.
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Former nurse Fitzsimmons, who now runs an online jewellery making business, pled guilty at Stornoway Sheriff Court to embezzlement between December 2017 and April 2019. Mr MacKinnon has since passed away.
A source told the Sunday Mail: "Fitzsimons lived on the same top floor landing in Glasgow as her late father but when he started displaying signs of dementia she convinced him to create a power of attorney shortly after his wife passed away in order to look after him.
"Not long after Fitzsimons had the power of attorney enacted, she took control of his finances and arranged for her dad to move with her to Carloway, Isle of Lewis.
"Her embezzlement came to light when the care home did not receive their fees.
"Mr MacKinnon had significant savings boosted by the sale of the flat as well as good pension income, however this appears to have been appropriated away.
"It is believed that Fitzsimons spent the majority of the funds on internet purchases for herself."
A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person, known as the attorney, the authority to deal with aspects of your affairs which can include financial, property matters and/or personal welfare. They must act in your best interests.
Fitzsimons will be sentenced later this month.
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