Elderly couple suffer theft by their Kiltarlity grandson who used their bank account and credit cards to fraudulently obtain £12,000 which he used on gambling websites

An elderly couple were shocked when they discovered their bank account and credit cards were being used on gambling websites.

But when police investigated, they discovered it was their grandson, Andrew MacLean of Allarburn Place, Kiltarlity, who was responsible.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard when he was interviewed he confessed fully to officers.

MacLean admitted fraudulently obtaining £12,000 from his grandparents, who are both in their 70s, the court heard.

The offences took place between May 11, 2017, and November 27, 2019.

Fiscal depute David Morton said MacLean had a gambling addiction and associated debts.

“His grandparents were unaware of who made the transactions when the report was made to the police,” Mr Morton said.

He added that, apart from the gambling websites, MacLean had also used their funds to pay council tax, write cheques to himself and pay for goods.

“He has since repaid all the money,” he also told the court.

Sheriff Margaret Neilson deferred sentence until March 28 for a background report, “to see if there is an alternative to a custodial sentence here.”

Solicitor David Patterson reserved his comments until then and MacLean’s bail was continued.