iStockA cleaner stole £10,000 from a pensioner she worked for.
Catherine Ballantyne, 61, used the 84-year-old man’s card to make cash withdrawals and bank transfers between February and August 2021.
Ballantyne was caught after the victim’s son noticed the missing sums in his father’s bank statements.
First offender Ballantyne pleaded guilty on Tuesday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to theft.
The court heard the man hired Ballantyne on an informal basis in 2018 after suffering health difficulties.
The pair had initially met at Knightswood Community Centre.
Ballantyne worked three days a week for the man, who allowed her access to his bank card for groceries and pet food.
Ballantyne also made cash withdrawals from time to time for the man with his permission, which was usually £200 every couple of weeks.
In August 2021, the man’s son reviewed his father’s bank statements.
Prosecutor Lauren Aitchison said: “He noted significant cash withdrawals from cash machines between May and July 2021.
“These were £200 over consecutive days.
“[He] told his father and he said that he did not ask for such amounts to be withdrawn.”
The man’s son requested further bank statements which showed the extent of Ballantyne’s offending.
Ms Aitchison added: “During the period of February and August 2021, he noted that Ballantyne stole £10,000 from lifting money at cash machines or bank transfers to her account at the Post Office.”
Ballantyne, of the city’s Blairdardie, was asked to return the card and she agreed to pay the money back.
A total of £5,000 has currently been returned to the victim.
Sheriff Louise Arrol KC deferred sentence for good behaviour until September, when the full amount is expected to be paid back.
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