A lovesick pensioner embezzled thousands of pounds from her own mother after she was scammed in an online romance.
Maureen Gunn believed she had made contact with a UN Navy captain called Joshua Jacob and started up a romantic relationship after meeting him on social media.
The 66-year-old was sent images of the man and began sending him cash after he claimed his funds were tied up in offshore accounts.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told the widow had sent her online friend around £50,000 even though she had never met him in person.
Gunn, from Tranent, East Lothian, soon ran out of funds and began taking cash from her 89-year old mother Jane Marr's bank account.
Maureen Gunn, 66, stole cash from her elderly mother to pay a scammer she met on Facebook
David Marr, 68, ประกัน described his sister as 'a silly old woman' for falling for the con
The court heard Gunn made numerous cash withdrawals from the Royal Bank of Scotland account as well as a bank transfer of £4,250 which was all sent to the online scammer.
Prosecutor Bruce McCrossan told the court Gunn was the primary carer for her mother and had power of attorney over her welfare.
The fiscal depute said the OAP was given access to Mrs Marr's debit card and PIN number in 2019 and would make withdrawals to pay for her clothing and food.
But over the next three years, Gunn began making ‘unauthorised cash withdrawals' and one large bank transfer into her own bank account.
Family members eventually became suspicious and contacted the bank.
Maureen Gunn believed she had made contact with a UN Navy captain called Joshua Jacob and started up a romantic relationship after meeting him on social media.
The 66-year-old was sent images of the man and began sending him cash after he claimed his funds were tied up in offshore accounts.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told the widow had sent her online friend around £50,000 even though she had never met him in person.
Gunn, from Tranent, East Lothian, soon ran out of funds and began taking cash from her 89-year old mother Jane Marr's bank account.
Maureen Gunn, 66, stole cash from her elderly mother to pay a scammer she met on Facebook
David Marr, 68, ประกัน described his sister as 'a silly old woman' for falling for the con
The court heard Gunn made numerous cash withdrawals from the Royal Bank of Scotland account as well as a bank transfer of £4,250 which was all sent to the online scammer.
Prosecutor Bruce McCrossan told the court Gunn was the primary carer for her mother and had power of attorney over her welfare.
The fiscal depute said the OAP was given access to Mrs Marr's debit card and PIN number in 2019 and would make withdrawals to pay for her clothing and food.
But over the next three years, Gunn began making ‘unauthorised cash withdrawals' and one large bank transfer into her own bank account.
Family members eventually became suspicious and contacted the bank.