Cash is repaid to band

Embezzled £6k

The former treasurer of a flute band who embezzled £6500 from the organisation has paid back the cash.

David Park, 53, of Muirfield Crescent, Airdrie, pled guilty to pocketing the sum while treasurer of Coatbridge’s Prince of Orange Flute Band.

Airdrie Sheriff Court heard how Park swindled the cash between 2011 and 2012, blaming a gambling habit.

He was originally charged with embezzling £ 7200, but after a plea bargain the Crown accepted an admission to taking £6500.

Park was sentenced in 2014 and ordered to pay back every penny of the cash he stole, as well as being placed on a community payback order with 30 months’ supervision and 250 hours of unpaid work.

When sentencing Park, Sheriff Robert Dickson told him: “You must appreciate that as a treasurer there is a responsibility on you to make sure funds are kept safe.

“I appreciate that at the time you had a gambling habit, but it is clear that this has to be properly addressed.

“It is only your age and the fact you have no previous convictions that you are not facing a prison sentence.”

Park made his way back into the dock last week accused of breaching his court order, with Sheriff Morag Galbraith initially stating Park had an outstanding balance on his compensation order of £940.

Ho w e v e r, further investigations by the sheriff showed Park had paid the full amount, which was confirmed by his solicitor.

Sheriff Galbraith told Park that he would face “no further order” and informed the Crown to recognise he had adhered to his order.