Perthshire woman stole 87-year-old amputee’s life savings

A Perthshire woman took a pensioner’s life savings while the 87-year-old was in hospital having her leg amputated, Perth Sheriff Court heard.

Sheriff Fiona Tait told Elizabeth Needs, 61, of Ferguson Park, Rattray, that she wanted her to start saving towards paying compensation to her victim.

The court had previously heard that Needs helped herself to the older woman’s savings around £1,200. Needs admitted committing the offence between February 11 and March 22 last year.

A relative of the victim previously said she felt Needs should be jailed.

“She (Needs) had been looking after my relative and collecting her pension while she was in hospital,” the woman said.

“My relative was in hospital for three months getting her leg amputated. She had given this woman her trust and the money was taken without her family knowing.

“She totally betrayed her trust and my relative has been left devastated by this. She trusted somebody and has been greatly let down she won’t go out on her own now.”

Sheriff Tait deferred sentence to November 22 and told Needs she should start to save at least £10 per week.