News / Missing man admits fraud
A FORMER alpcaca sheep farmer who sparked a major search after he disappeared from his croft in Shetland last November has admitted defrauding his wife of more than £11,000.
Colin Arnot, of 20 Stucca, Hillswick, pled guilty by letter to Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday.
The charge says that between 2 September and 13 December last year, the 55 year old forged his wife’s signature on a savings account closure form with the investment company Scottish Widows.
He then instructed them to transfer the balance of that savings account into a current account in his wife’s name, from which he withdrew £11,615.67 using a bank card belonging to his wife.
Sheriff Philip Mann said Arnot had offered a lengthy explanation of his actions in his letter to the court, but deferred sentence until 26 June for a personal appearance.
Arnot was reported missing on 25 November last year from his North Roe croft where he and his wife Philippa kept alpaca sheep.
A major search ensued involving the coastguard rescue helicopter and four auxiliary coastguard teams. He was traced in Lerwick a week after he disappeared.
Arnot was also a candidate in the Shetland Islands Council elections in 2012.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
