Missing man admits fraud

A FORMER alpcaca sheep farmer who sparked a major search after he disappeared from his croft in Shetland last November has admitted defrauding his wife of more than £11,000.

Colin Arnot, of 20 Stucca, Hillswick, pled guilty by letter to Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday.

The charge says that between 2 September and 13 December last year, the 55 year old forged his wife’s signature on a savings account closure form with the investment company Scottish Widows.

He then instructed them to transfer the balance of that savings account into a current account in his wife’s name, from which he withdrew £11,615.67 using a bank card belonging to his wife.

Sheriff Philip Mann said Arnot had offered a lengthy explanation of his actions in his letter to the court, but deferred sentence until 26 June for a personal appearance.

Arnot was reported missing on 25 November last year from his North Roe croft where he and his wife Philippa kept alpaca sheep.

A major search ensued involving the coastguard rescue helicopter and four auxiliary coastguard teams. He was traced in Lerwick a week after he disappeared.

Arnot was also a candidate in the Shetland Islands Council elections in 2012.