Community service for ‘despicable’ fraudster lawyer

Ian Davidson, 62, who was struck from the roll in 2022, scammed Pauline Martin, the daughter of his friend, by making her write a cheque out to him instead of law firm W&AS Bruce.

At his sentencing hearing yesterday, Sheriff John Rafferty told him: “You committed a despicable and mean crime in circumstances where you were in a position of trust as a solicitor and an experienced executor.

“You were a friend of the now-deceased and the now-deceased contacted you by telephone around two days before he died and explained his position to you.

“He asked you to look after his estate. He asked you to look after his vulnerable daughter and you agreed.

“Following his death, you breached that promise and did so in a cold and calculating way.”

Sheriff Rafferty added: “There are no mitigating factors and the criminal justice social work reports indicate that you show no insight into the impact of your offending on your victim.

“You show no remorse. You are, however, concerned for your own self and reputation and concerned about damage to your reputation. Your reputation can now be seen in its true light. It is with considerable hesitation that I move away from a custodial sentence.”

He was ordered to perform 280 hours of unpaid word and to pay Ms Martin £600 in compensation.