NAB bank manager Margaret McLean sentenced for attempting to steal $100,000 from customer

A bank manager has been sentenced for her cunning plan to attempt to steal $100,000 from the account of an elderly customer with Alzheimer’s.

A bank manager attempted to steal $100,000 from an elderly customer with Alzheimer’s to clear her own debts, a court heard.

Margaret Louise McLean, 53, narrowly avoided jail after abusing her position of trust to try and cover up her evil act.

During sentencing, the District Court heard McLean was working as the branch manager of the National Australia Bank in Salisbury.

The 93-year-old victim, who has since died, attended the branch on August 7, 2020 to deposit money.

McLean and another staff member counted the cash, which totalled $245,850, and deposited it into his NAB account.

Margaret McLean was sentenced for attempted theft. Photo: File

Two weeks later, McLean was due to commence several weeks of annual leave.

“On the same day, you mentioned to two colleagues that you might not return to work after your leave and you might get a new job while on leave,” Judge Nick Alexandrides said.

“Later that day you were seen to clear your desk of personal items and tear up and discard a staff photo that was on your desk.”

A few days later two NAB employees identified a discrepancy of over $99,000 and NAB commenced an investigation.

Their records showed McLean accessed the victim’s NAB account on August 21 and made three attempts to withdraw $100,000, which were unsuccessful.

McLean also made multiple attempts to draw a cheque for $100,000 which were also not completed.

She then altered the cash balance summary for that day from $265,000 to $365,000.

The court heard the $100,000 discrepancy at the NAB Salisbury branch had never been accounted for but prosecution couldn’t establish that McLean’s attempted transactions were successful and there was an actual benefit to her.

McLean, of Mawson Lakes, pleaded guilty to attempted theft.

The court heard McLean was experiencing significant financial difficulties at the time of the offending and had substantial debts.

The court heard McLean, who now works in retail, was well respected in the community and had been involved as a netball coach for many years.

Judge Alexandrides said the offending was a significant breach of trust, particularly as the victim was experiencing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

“He had attended the bank, no doubt, to place his cash with those who he believed could be trusted,” he said.

‘You would have been very well aware of his vulnerability and you abused the trust he was entitled to expect from you as a bank manager.”

McLean was sentenced to three years jail, with a non-parole period of 18 months.

She was ordered to serve the sentence on home detention.