Embezzlement charges faced by woman, 44

A LAW firm worker has been accused of embezzling more than £20,000 from a firm of solicitors and swindling more than £50,000 in the name of her deceased aunt.

Alison Jackson worked at Thorntons Solicitors — one of the biggest law firms in the country.

It is alleged that while employed there she embezzled £3,073.75 on one day in November 2012.

She is also alleged to have taken £17,000 from the firm between February and March 2014.

In a separate alleged fraud, prosecutors say she abused the trust put in her by her aunt, Lilian Grant, over a period of almost four years.

It is alleged that between October 24 2010 and September 16 2014 she had been granted power of attorney over Mrs Grant’s finances — and used that position to embezzle £40,403.71.

Jackson is also alleged to have conned the Cadbury’s chocolate firm pension scheme, of which Mrs Grant was a member, out of £12,641.86 by inducing them to believe Mrs Grant was still alive following her death on July 19 2012.

She is accused of having the fund hand over £12,641.86 in payments by fraud over the course of more than two-and-ahalf years following her death.

Jackson, 44, of Shepherd Lane , Arbroath, was not present at Dundee Sheriff Court when the case against her called yesterday.

Theo Finlay, defending, asked that it was continued until next week for talks between the Crown and defence.

Sheriff Alastair Brown continued the case until next week for a further pretrial hearing.