Mum cleared of witch monument murder duped vulnerable men in 20-month theft spree

A tribunal heard that Angela Newlands, 34, embarked connected a transgression spree successful Forfar, Scotland, that lasted for much than 20 months betwixt August 29, 2022 and May 11, 2024

A mum who was cleared of murdering her ex-boyfriend's sister astatine a celebrated witch monument has been recovered to person mounted a run of theft and fraud during which she targeted aged and susceptible men.

Angela Newlands, 34, duped her targets into giving her currency by pretending to person a young child, clambering into their cars and pretending to beryllium injured, and astatine 1 constituent stole 8 cockapoo puppies. Dundee Sheriff Court heard connected Tuesday, November 26, that she raked successful hundreds of pounds from unsuspecting victims.

Among them was 58-year-old Matthew Hume, whom she approached vicoutside a supermarket claiming to beryllium a pistillate named "Lisa" and requested wealth for babe beverage and nappies for a non-existent child. Fiscal depute Sam Craib told the tribunal that Mr Hume gave her the £10-12 helium had connected him that day, and that helium gave the accused much wealth during pursuing encounters successful Forfar, successful Angus, Scotland.

The Daily Record reported that the 2 lone broke interaction aft a person of Mr Hume's informed him of her existent identity, astatine which constituent helium had already fixed her astir £400. David Smeaton, 56, was targeted successful a akin fashion, and led to judge helium was successful a narration with Newlands that was "in its archetypal stages".

Mr Smeaton provided the mum-of-five with astir £180, becoming suspicious aft receiving calls from radical seeking an "Angela" aft Newlands - who was again going by "Lisa" - borrowed his phone. On different occasion, Newlands feigned romanticist involvement with an 85-year-old - who rejected her attempts to hug and buss him - successful speech for a £55 cab ride.

The tribunal besides heard that she erstwhile stole a purse and telephone from a unpaid helping retired astatine a Royal British Legion nutrient bank, and stole slope cards and items from people's cars connected galore different occasions. Newlands, who besides stole 8 puppies from a kennel and confessed to throwing immoderate of them implicit a fence, admitted to 17 abstracted offences astir Forfar and Kirriemuir betwixt August 29, 2022 and May 11, 2024.

Newlands - who defending solicitor Pauline Cullerton said "accepts afloat work for the offences and is embarrassed and ashamed of her behaviour" has had her condemnation deferred. The mum has been remanded successful custody aft Sheriff George Way said helium needed clip to see however agelong she should walk down bars owed to the analyzable bid of offences.

The revelations of Newlands' analyzable array of crimes came respective years aft the she was cleared of execution connected insufficient evidence. The remains of 22-year-old Annalise Johnstone were recovered dumped astatine the Maggie Wall's Witch Monument successful Dunning, Perthshire successful May 2018.