Pauline Gilhooly, a caregiver who confessed to stealing money from a vulnerable pensioner, displayed what appeared to be luxurious gold and diamond jewelry as she exited court. The 63-year-old, accused of taking funds from an elderly woman’s bank account, wore diamond and gold rings, a sizable gold-colored watch, and a designer bracelet.
Gilhooly showed no reaction as she admitted to forging Rosemarie Simpson’s signatures on checks, transferring substantial sums from the pensioner’s account to her own bank. Initially charged with swindling £21,000 through ten forged checks spanning four years, Gilhooly pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of stealing £8,000 by cashing in five fraudulent checks.
Hannah Wade, Gilhooly’s defense solicitor, disclosed the admission, stating that Gilhooly had perpetrated the offense over 30 months at the Holmes Gardens Care Home in Broxburn, West Lothian, between February 10, 2013, and July 24, 2015.
Chris Yule, the prosecutor, revealed that Gilhooly had no prior convictions and detailed her scheme of presenting forged checks at Santander Bank to transfer funds from the care home resident’s account into her own.
Sheriff Valerie Mays noted the significant reduction in the amount stolen but emphasized its still-substantial nature. Postponing the sentencing, she requested reports on Gilhooly’s personal circumstances and the offense details, aiming to understand sentencing options better.
Gilhooly was instructed to return to court for sentencing on July 11, with the Crown tasked to provide a written narrative ahead of the next hearing.