Highland woman stole £46,0000 from partner’s nest egg

A Nairn woman who stole £46,000 from her partner’s divorce settlement is trying to repay him.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday that 50-year-old Linda McDermott of Viewfield Street, Nairn had raised £8,000 and was hoping to realise another £30,000 through a mortgage.

Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood deferred sentence until September 21 for evidence of reimbursement.

McDermott, who admitted the dishonesty charge, claimed she took the money because she was being blackmailed by a former partner.

She secretly discovered the log-in details for Nicholas Orcherton’s account and skimmed off the cash over a seven-year period.

Mr Orcherton only noticed the money was missing from his nest egg after he and McDermott had split up and he tried to buy a new home.