Cruel Scots carer admits stealing £50,000 from her own parents

A carer has admitted stealing £50,000 from her own parents.

Donna Devine swiped the cash over a three-year period.

The 46-year-old had been charged with stealing £69,096, between March 21, 2020, and March 10, 2023.

But she pleaded guilty to stealing "£50,000 or thereby" when she appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Devine, of Paisley, admitted taking the money from her parents' home in Elderslie, Renfrewshire.

Her mother Jennifer Devine, 69, and father Patrick Devine, 73, were cited as witnesses in the case.

They would have been due to give evidence against her had she gone on trial over the single charge of theft she faced.

But they do not now need to take the stand, with the court hearing that her mother suffers from ill health.

Defence solicitor David Nicholson, a partner in law firm McCusker, McElroy and Gallanagh, said: "Her mother's health has deteriorated significantly."

Sheriff Gillian Craig called for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing and adjourned the case until next month.

She said: "You have pleaded guilty to a serious matter.

"I'm going to call for background reports as I want to learn more about you."

The first offender will also be subject to a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment.

That will determine whether or not she should be fitted with an electronic tag and given a daily curfew to abide by as a punishment.

She will return to the dock next month to learn her fate.

According to her Facebook page, Devine is a Support Worker with HRM Homecare and has held the role for more than eight years.

During the coronavirus pandemic, she posted online about how she was unable to stay home during lockdown due to her job.

She posted a picture in April 2020 which contained a frame with the words, "I can't stay home, I'm a social care worker".