Vile thief pinched £500 from his disabled mum

Scott MacGregor (36) was found out after it was discovered only he and the carers who look after his mother, who is wheelchair-bound with multiple sclerosis, had keys to her home.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court today, MacGregor, of Hallglen, pled guilty to the theft he committed at the house in Bainsford on November 8 last year.

On the night in question MacGregor’s mother was helped to bed by her carers at about 10pm and they locked her front door and left. Around midnight she heard her front door opening and closing.

Procurator fiscal depute Samantha Brown said: “She thought somebody was in the house, but because of her mobility she wasn’t able to check.”

In the morning, her carers found her front door unlocked and it was discovered that £40 cash and her bank card was missing.

Ms Brown said: “She contacted her bank and found that £500 had been taken out of her account in one transaction.”

She contacted the police and told them the accused was the only person who would have access to her house, as well as her PIN number.

MacGregor was arrested two months later.

Martin Morrow, defence solicitor, said MacGregor, who had a long-standing drink and drugs problem, wanted to go to jail.

He added: “He is disgusted with himself. He says he has caused enormous distress to his mother and he feels so ashamed he wants to go to prison.

“As far as he sees, he has put himself beyond and pale and beyond redemption.”

Sheriff Derek Livingston said: “I note, notwithstanding your client’s expressions of remorse, he hasn’t paid his mother back.”

Jailing him for eight months, he told MacGregor: “I agree with you – you do deserve to go to prison for this. Your mother must have been terrified when she heard the door opening and closing again.

“She would have had no idea what was going on. She’d put you in a position of trust by giving you a key. It’s a fairly disgusting crime.”