Disabled pensioner wins civil action after carer's deception

Published 25 Jan 2012 08:00 1 Comment

A DISABLED Lumphinnans pensioner was duped by his care worker into parting with almost £800.

James McCormack, who lost the use of his legs 11 years ago and is now confined to a wheelchair, was told by the carer that she needed the money to pay for her nephew's funeral after he had committed suicide.

He was persuaded by Marianne McDonald to part with £790 but on Friday, at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, he won a civil action which will see him get the money back.

The 73 year-old, from Cedar Crescent, told the Times, "This is a great relief.

"This has been hanging over me since September 2010 and I thought that it would never be sorted out."

He said that 42 year-old Ms McDonald had come to him sobbing and telling of the suicide of the nephew.

"She said that the money was to help her sister with the funeral expenses and she was so persuasive I gave the cash to her," he added.

"Marianne had been someone I really trusted as she had been my carer for some time and had been very reliable.

"But within hours of having given her the money I realised it was the wrong thing to do and I called her to say that I had changed my mind.

"She said that it was alright and she would bring the money back but I never saw her again."

The former miner used a number of methods to try and track her down without success.

"I contacted the police but when they caught up with her, she simply denied that I had given her the money so I had to take the civil court route to get the cash back.

"It took 15 months but when the Sheriff ordered her to pay me the £790 back plus court expenses it was a big relief."

Mr McCormack said that he had received great support in his cause from local MSP Helen Eadie and Lochs councillor Alex Rowley.

He added, "Both these people were excellent at helping me get this money returned.

"Along with my sister, they offered me support when I needed it and helped me get the cash back which I admit I should never have given away in the first place".

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• 

  BOB CLAPERTY
  Unregistered User
  Jan 30, 00:05
  Report comment

  i knew this woman and she also cared for my family i wonder if she ever done this to them
  
  Recommend?   Yes 11     No 0

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