Housebound Ayrshire mum's Christmas savings stolen

Dec 18 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A HOUSEBOUND mum’s Christmas savings were stolen by her next door neighbour.

Margaret-Anne Boyes embezzled hundreds of pounds from clients saving through Park’s Christmas hamper company.

Boyes, 39, was working as an agent for Park’s during 2009.

Brenda Fullarton was one of the victims who were ripped off by the heartless conwoman.

Wheelchair bound Brenda suffers from MS and a nerve-attacking disorder called neurofibromatosis.

She said: “I’m so hurt. I can’t forgive her and I'll never speak to her again.”

Cruel Boyes lives next door to Brenda and has been considered a friend for eight years.

Brenda, 42, explained: “I did it last year and everything was fine, I got what I paid for and I thought there would be no problem in doing it again. Every month I gave her £22 until October.

“Then Park’s sent me two letters saying that there was insufficient funds for the goods I wanted.

“After the second letter I phoned the police.”

Police were quick to uncover a trail of lies and deceit.

Boyes, who also works in the laundry at an Ayr nursing home, conned four clients and pocketed £1074.

At Ayr Sheriff Court this week she pleaded guilty to embezzling the cash between January 1 and November 1.

Mum-of-two Brenda continued: “I was giving her the money but she wasn’t passing it on.

“I’m really, really hurt. In that hamper was my mum’s Christmas present and she knew that. That’s what really got me the most.

“We were friends and her mum came in to see me every day but since then I don’t want them near me.

“ She’s never attempted to apologise. But I wouldn’t let her in the house anyway. She can apologise through my intercom system.”

Brenda says the stress of her experience has made her health deteriorate and will affect her for the rest of her life.

She continued: “I’m really angry about it. This was someone I regarded as a friend but with friends like that who needs enemies? I couldn’t even do that to my worst enemy.

“She came into my home and took my money in her hand, all the time knowing she wasn’t going to pay it.

“I feel as if she’s taken advantage of me because I’m disabled and vulnerable.

“I’m very wary of people now. I have to let my carers into my home but I don’t want to let other people in.

“And that’ll stay with me forever.”

Boyes, of Lawson Street, Ayr, will be sentenced next month.