Dunoon pensioner convicted of embezzling thousands from Women’s Aid charity

A Dunoon pensioner was convicted of embezzling almost £40,000 from Argyll and Bute Women’s Aid, following a trial at Greenock Sheriff Court last week.
Jay Reid (67) was found guilty by a jury of misappropriating £39,726 from the charity between December 31, 2016 and January 1, 2021.
The court heard Reid had access to charity credit cards intended solely for the benefit of vulnerable women and children using the service.
Argyll and Bute Women’s Aid provides free, confidential help, including safe refuge accommodation. Working across a large and often rural area, the organisation plays a vital role in helping people stay safe, reduce isolation and rebuild their lives.
Evidence presented at Greenock Sheriff Court, led by the procurator fiscal, focused on repeated card transactions that investigators said could not be justified as charity expenditure.
Purchases included holidays to Tenerife and Amsterdam, designer jewellery, men’s clothing, bags, dog grooming services, furniture from IKEA, and carpets from SCS.
A number of tech devices were bought but could not be accounted for, while dishwasher tablets were also purchased despite the fact the refuge had no dishwasher.
Unexplained spending patterns and discrepancies in bank statements were also highlighted, but Reid denied embezzling any money.