A carer accused of defrauding a Fife pensioner out of a five-figure sum told a co-worker she was a “good saver” and had had a lottery win.
Kathleen MacKay’s colleague became curious about her finances after learning she had 12 pairs of Skechers shoes and had bought “very expensive” Christmas presents.
Fellow carer Bernadette Morgan gave evidence on day two of MacKay’s embezzlement trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
MacKay, 68, is accused of taking just over £48,000 from the bank account of an 83-year-old woman with dementia who she cared for.
Suspicions about finances
The court heard that MacKay worked with Miss Morgan to care for retired teacher Alison Hildreth at her Dunfermline home.
MacKay, a client of hairdresser and former nurse Miss Morgan, approached her about working with Ms Hildreth.
The pair worked together most mornings.
Miss Morgan said she handled personal care of Ms Hildreth, while MacKay took on cleaning duties and was responsible for finances.
She said MacKay had access to Ms Hildreth’s bank card and withdrew their wages each week.
However, she began to become suspicious about MacKay’s finances.
Spending
Miss Morgan said MacKay admitted to owning 12 pairs of Skechers trainers and said that her children repeatedly called for cash.
MacKay told her co-worker that she was “a good saver” and had had a lottery win.
In her statement to police, Miss Morgan said: “She did not do any cleaning and I felt she was just watching me.
“She just seemed to be bouncing about.
“I did almost all the care for Alison.”
She added: “From the outset, I was aware Kate (MacKay) often had Alison’s bank card.
“Kate would say on a Friday that she was away to get both our wages.
“She said she would go to Tesco on Aberdour Road as it was quieter.
“I was aware that Kate had been buying a lot of things for her home.”
She said: “She has a small sports car, full Sky package and her home was decorated well.
“It’s my opinion that she was spending money well above her income.
“She also gave a lot of very expensive presents in December 2019.”
Phone call confrontation
Ms Hildreth’s son confronted MacKay over the phone about money which had been withdrawn from his mother’s bank account, the court heard.
Miss Morgan said her then colleague told Mr Hildreth that on “four or five occasions,” dementia sufferer Ms Hildreth had asked MacKay to withdraw £500 in cash.
She also said MacKay had withdrawn £4,000 to repair a car engine which she said she’d pay back from her wages.
Miss Morgan said MacKay was “hysterical” while on the phone to Ms Hildreth’s son.
Miss Morgan said that MacKay had told her Ms Hildreth gave her permission to withdraw the £4,000.
MacKay, of David Street, Dunfermline, denies embezzling £48,094.85 from Mrs Hildreth at several addresses in in the town between May 1, 2018 and May 31, 2020.
The trial, before Sheriff Susan Duff, continues.
