A Monifieth woman who was the victim of a £23,000 robbery by a friend has spoken about the betrayal.
Michelle Sales, 49, said she was still struggling to understand why she was targeted by former friend Susan Beattie.
Beattie, 42, from Carnoustie, was found guilty at Forfar Sheriff Court on Monday of stealing £15,000 of jewellery along with £8,000 in cash. Sentence was deferred.
The robbery took place when Michelle was on holiday to Lanzarote. She came back to her property on October 25 to find the downstairs bay window had been removed.
When she saw what had been taken inside, Michelle who has two children, Danielle, 13, and Jamie, 16 said she “instantly” suspected her friend.
She said: “When she found out I was going on holiday, she was trying to get my dates and I think when I told her she started planning this.”
Beattie had seen Michelle take jewellery from a cache kept underneath shoes in her wardrobe and had once helped put together the bedframe where she hid her money.
Michelle said: “It all made sense. In 2011 I broke up with my husband and in 2012 she found out. I was vulnerable at the time and we started speaking again.
“But when the theft happened I knew it was her, because she was the only one who knew where the things were.”
She had lent Beattie money before but had got it back and did not expect her former friend to attack her property.
She said: “At court on Monday, Susan walked past me in the corridor just after I had got a bit upset and cried. She just walked past with a big smile on her face.
“She didn’t have a care in the world. My daughter has cerebral palsy and has found the whole thing extremely difficult she doesn’t want me to bring any more friends home now.
“It just doesn’t seem like Susan has any feelings at all she’s heartless. I’m glad she has been found guilty and I hope she doesn’t do this to anyone else.
“I’d advise people to keep well away from her.”