Pensioner who swiped cash from Women's Aid and splurged on holidays jailed

A pensioner who embezzled nearly £40,000 from the Women's Aid branch she worked for has been jailed for the crime.

Jay Reid pocketed the cash and spent the money on holidays, furniture, losing weight and her pets.

The 67-year-old used her ill-gotten gains to go to Amsterdam and Tenerife, shop in IKEA and join Weightwatchers.

She also splurged on expensive jewellery, designer perfume and purchases from Amazon over a five-year period. 

She was a manager of the Argyll and Bute branch of the charity in Dunoon and stole the funds between 2016 and 2021.

She denied her guilt and went on trial over the claims at Greenock Sheriff Court and was convicted by a jury in December.

When she returned to the dock today, Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to learn her fate, she was jailed for 20 months.

Sergeant Kamila Jelonkiewicz said: “Reid abused the trust placed in her and acted dishonestly to gain substantial sums of money from a charity.

“Police Scotland remains committed to thoroughly investigating financial crimes and bringing those responsible to account.”

Anne Marie Hicks, Procurator Fiscal for North Strathclyde, said: “Jay Reid committed an egregious betrayal of trust by taking advantage of her position to embezzle money from her employers. 

“She showed no regard for the impact her crimes would have on vulnerable women and children who relied on support from Women’s Aid or the effect it would have on those trying to run such an important charity. 

“The public will rightly be appalled. 

“Embezzlement is not a victimless crime. As prosecutors, we are fully committed to tackling financial crime of this kind.” 

Reid worked as a manager of the children’s service at the Dunoon office and had control of the branch’s bank account. 

Her crimes were revealed when other members of staff at Women’s Aid discovered that payments had not been made to their pensions. 

Charity officials then investigated and Reid’s offending was fully identified following a Scottish Government audit. 

A financial investigator established that Reid used a Women’s Aid credit card to finance illegitimate purchases totalling £39,726. 63 and highlighted the frequency of transactions. 

None of the outlay was spent on service users who rely on Women’s Aid for support. 

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud is encouraged to contact Police Scotland on 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.