Former Tory council leader on trial over alleged romance fraud

The trial of a former Scottish council leader accused of a £188,000 romance fraud has begun at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

East Dunbartonshire councillor Andrew Polson, 53, is accused of creating a "fraudulent scheme" to enter a business partnership with the woman and embezzling funds from a radio station.

The court heard some of the alleged offences were aggravated by involving abuse of his partner or ex-partner.

The councillor, who denies the charges, was suspended by the Scottish Conservative party in 2022 after the accusations were made and sits as an independent for Bearsden South.

The jury was read the full four-page indictment detailing 10 charges against Mr Polson, of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire.

He is alleged to have "induced" the woman into transferring money as payments for two properties.

He allegedly said they were buying a rental property in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire as joint owners, and another in Bearsden would be registered in her name.

Court papers state Polson claimed "AA Lettings" would carry out administration, servicing, maintenance, renovation and leasing of properties.

Polson allegedly opened a bank account for the firm and while the woman paid £40,500 as her contribution, the joint title was not secured.

Radio station 'defrauded'

She did not receive an equal share of the monthly £500 rent but a further £200 was taken from her each month for expenditure on the property, it is alleged.

Polson is stated to have also induced her to pay £146,000 for a property in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire.

The charges span 1 May 2021 to 14 March 2022.

Mr Polson faces separate accusations of stealing the woman's bank card on 21 April 2022 and fraudulently securing a loan in her name.

A further allegation claims he embezzled more than £90,000 while he was a director of Revival Radio Limited.

It is claimed he defrauded Revival Radio by "drawing, applying and intromitting" funds by making payments to himself and others and incurring expenditure inconsistent with the nature of the company.

The offence is said to have taken place at the now liquidised company's premises in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, between 1 January 2021 and 31 August 2022.

The trial continues.