A former STV and BBC presenter has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for embezzling more than £120,000 from her mother who suffered from dementia.
Hayley Matthews, who once hosted an SNP national conference, abused her power of attorney to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Her sister Danielle Thomson uncovered the fraud after their mother's death in September 2021, when Matthews claimed the estate was worth only £36,000, the Telegraph reported.
Investigations revealed 371 PayPal transactions totalling £46,763, £38,000 in ATM withdrawals and £13,650 in Amazon purchases.
Matthews also bought a £1,371 Mulberry handbag and spent £5,545 at the White Company.
Lynne Barrie, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said: "Hayley Matthews was placed in a position of family trust to oversee her mother's financial affairs.
“But she abused that responsibility by stealing thousands of pounds and used that money to brazenly fund an extravagant lifestyle."
When confronted by her father, Matthews admitted via text: "You're right, I've been shocking at handling mum's money and paperwork. I've spent what I shouldn't and used money I shouldn't."
Sheriff Alison Stirling said Matthews had been in "a position of trust" and her actions had "a serious impact" on her family.
He added: "Custody is the only appropriate disposal. Your actions were deliberate and repeated over a period of more than three years."
Matthews, who previously worked for BBC Radio Scotland and as a newspaper columnist, pleaded guilty to embezzlement between September 2019 and November 2022.
