Tag: Police Scotand

Man convicted of embezzlement

Gordon Couch (57), was yesterday found guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court of Embezzlement after a three-week long trial.

Mr Couch has been convicted of embezzling £170,000 of funds from Marjorie Stewart, from Edinburgh, both prior to and after her death in September 2013 when he was acting as her Independent Financial Advisor, was her Power of Attorney and the Executor of her Will which afforded him trusted access to funds.

An investigation was launched in 2016 after Mrs Stewart’s family raised concerns about Mr Couch’s conduct including the misappropriation of funds.

Mr Couch had by this time moved to Hong Kong and officers began efforts to secure his return to the UK to face charges. He was finally arrested in 2019 after returning to the UK.

Detective Sergeant Craig Potter said: “This was a complex case covering a large number of years where the power and control afforded to one person was able to be abused.

“Marjorie Stewart’s family were key to uncovering the misappropriation and have shown exemplary conduct throughout the long wait for the case to come to court. Hopefully all the witnesses are afforded some closure by today’s verdict.”

Should you have criminal concerns with regard to Power of Attorney or financial issues, police should be contacted.

If you have concerns about anyone carrying out any of the roles for someone else then advice can always be sought from the relevant regulatory body:

Independent Financial Advisors – Financial Conduct Authority

Power of Attorney – Office of the Public Guardian

Executors – Law Society of Scotland

Appeal after body found near burnt out motorbike

Police are appealing for witnesses following the death of a man found near Cousland in Midlothian on Sunday (17 January).

A report was received relating to an off-road motorcycle on fire on land off Hadfast Road in the Midlothian village around 9.20am on Sunday.

Emergency services attended and the body of a man was found near the motorcycle.

The death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Work is also ongoing to formally identify the man who has died.

Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Burns, of Lothian & Borders CID, said: “We are carrying out extensive enquiries in order to establish exactly what has happened prior to the man being found dead during the morning of Sunday, 17 January.

“He was found on a path in woodland to the west of the village of Cousland where it runs under the A68 road, which we know is regularly used by locals.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen a fire or heard any activity in the area overnight or in the early hours of Sunday to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have been driving in the area around Cousland or on the A68 who may have seen the fire or who may have dashcam footage.

“If you have any information you can call 101, quoting incident 0931 of 17 January.”

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an assault as part of this investigation. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and he was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 19 January, 2021.

Restalrig Circus incident update: dead woman named

Police have confirmed the identity of the woman who died following a disturbance at an address in Restalrig Circus, Edinburgh, on Friday, 24 January, 2020 at 6.50pm.

She was 79-year-old Margaret Grant.

Officers are looking to trace a man they believe entered the property and assaulted Margaret with the intention of stealing from her.

It is believed this was a targeted attack, and that the man responsible may have known Margaret by name. The man was disturbed and left the scene on foot.

Margaret was taken to hospital by ambulance, but died later that night. (Friday, 24 January, 2020)

The death is being treated as suspicious and officers remain at the scene, as enquiries continue to try and establish the full circumstances surrounding her death.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 20 and 30-years-old, about 5ft 6ins tall with combed long black hair and a Scottish accent. He was wearing a black top which may have had white lower sleeves, and dark trousers.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston, from the Major Investigation Team, said: “This was a cowardly and despicable attack on an elderly woman within her home. It is imperative anyone with any information about what happened makes contact with us so we can find the man responsible.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Margaret at this difficult time.”

Anyone who may have been in the Restalrig Circus area on Friday evening, or who recognises the description of the man are urged to get in touch with officers as soon as possible on 101, quoting incident number 3175 of 24 January.

Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.