Mum cleared of witch monument murder duped vulnerable men in 20-month theft spree

A court heard that Angela Newlands, 34, embarked on a crime spree in Forfar, Scotland, that lasted for more than 20 months between August 29, 2022 and May 11, 2024

A mum who was cleared of murdering her ex-boyfriend's sister at a famous witch monument has been found to have mounted a campaign of theft and fraud during which she targeted elderly and vulnerable men.

Angela Newlands, 34, duped her targets into giving her cash by pretending to have a young child, clambering into their cars and pretending to be injured, and at one point stole eight cockapoo puppies. Dundee Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday, November 26, that she raked in hundreds of pounds from unsuspecting victims.

Among them was 58-year-old Matthew Hume, whom she approached vicoutside a supermarket claiming to be a woman named "Lisa" and requested money for baby milk and nappies for a non-existent child. Fiscal depute Sam Craib told the court that Mr Hume gave her the £10-12 he had on him that day, and that he gave the accused more money during following encounters in Forfar, in Angus, Scotland.

The Daily Record reported that the two only broke contact after a friend of Mr Hume's informed him of her real identity, at which point he had already given her approximately £400. David Smeaton, 56, was targeted in a similar fashion, and led to believe he was in a relationship with Newlands that was "in its initial stages".

Mr Smeaton provided the mum-of-five with approximately £180, becoming suspicious after receiving calls from people seeking an "Angela" after Newlands - who was again going by "Lisa" - borrowed his phone. On another occasion, Newlands feigned romantic interest with an 85-year-old - who rejected her attempts to hug and kiss him - in exchange for a £55 cab ride.

The court also heard that she once stole a purse and phone from a volunteer helping out at a Royal British Legion food bank, and stole bank cards and items from people's cars on numerous other occasions. Newlands, who also stole eight puppies from a kennel and confessed to throwing some of them over a fence, admitted to 17 separate offences around Forfar and Kirriemuir between August 29, 2022 and May 11, 2024.

Newlands - who defending solicitor Pauline Cullerton said "accepts full responsibility for the offences and is embarrassed and ashamed of her behaviour" has had her sentence deferred. The mum has been remanded in custody after Sheriff George Way said he needed time to consider how long she should spend behind bars due to the complex series of offences.

The revelations of Newlands' complex array of crimes came several years after the she was cleared of murder on insufficient evidence. The remains of 22-year-old Annalise Johnstone were found dumped at the Maggie Wall's Witch Monument in Dunning, Perthshire in May 2018.