Solicitor jailed after embezzling £269,000 from aunt to save floundering business

William Walls, 62, sole partner at McQuittys in Cupar, took money from relative Mary Brown’s account after being granted power of attorney.

However, the lawyer went on to plunder his aunt’s accounts over a period of nine years in order to keep his firm afloat after it fell into dire financial straits.

His theft was uncovered by an investigation carried out by the Law Society and questions by Mrs Brown’s family over withdrawals from her accounts.

At Dundee Sheriff Court in September, Mr Walls pleaded guilty to embezzlement.

He was struck off the roll last month.

Simon Collins, defending, said: “Had he admitted the firm was failing he could have avoided all of this.”

Walls was jailed for eight months.