A mother has been cleared of the murder of her ex-boyfriend’s sister at a Scottish witch monument after it was revealed she faked having a baby to scam elderly and vulnerable men. Angela Newlands, 34, conducted a series of scams where she pretended to have a baby to con unsuspecting victims out of cash. She also stole eight cockapoo puppies, throwing most of them over a fence, in addition to carrying out thefts and fraud.
Newlands targeted elderly individuals, some as old as 85, by feigning interest in relationships with them. She used stolen bank cards to steal hundreds of pounds and tricked people into giving her money for a fictitious baby. Described as engaging in a lengthy campaign of theft and fraud, Newlands conned multiple victims before being brought to Dundee Sheriff Court on 26th November.
During her trial, it was revealed that Newlands approached various individuals, including Matthew Hume, David Smeaton, and Edward Milne, under false identities to solicit money from them. She also targeted George Watt by exploiting his kindness and stole from him while pretending to be in need of help. Furthermore, Newlands stole puppies, entered people’s cars to steal items, and engaged in various other fraudulent activities.
Newlands admitted to 17 separate offences in Forfar and Kirriemuir between August 2022 and May 2024. Her sentencing was deferred as the court deemed the case to be complex due to the nature and extent of her crimes. Despite defending her actions as a result of substance misuse and an abusive relationship, Newlands was held in custody as the court deliberated on the appropriate punishment.
In a separate but related case, Newlands was previously cleared of the murder of 22-year-old Annalise Johnstone, whose body was found at the Maggie Wall’s Witch Monument in Dunning, Perthshire in 2018. The circumstances surrounding Annalise’s death remain unresolved, with her brother, Jordan Johnstone, acquitted of the murder as well. The case presented conflicting details and accusations between parties involved, leaving the investigation inconclusive.
Newlands’ intricate web of deceit and manipulation highlights the depths to which some individuals may go to exploit others for personal gain. The vulnerabilities of the victims she targeted, particularly elderly and trusting individuals, underscore the importance of vigilance and caution in interactions with strangers. This case serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of scams and fraud in society and the need for robust measures to protect individuals from falling victim to such schemes.