Council worker embezzled cash to buy TVs and phones

A Renfrewshire Council worker dipped the public purse to the tune of almost £5,000.

Senior clerical worker Richard Kennedy then used the cash to shower his friends and family with gifts.

The crook was rumbled when an internal audit uncovered his dodgy dealings and, after a fullscale investigation, police were called in.

When the 43-year-old appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court, he admitted the embezzlement charge.

Now, a sheriff has ordered him to pay most of the money back to the local authority.

The court was told that Kennedy had access to online purchasing on behalf of the council’s human resources department.

Between May, 2014 and February, 2015, he used a card to purchase mainly electrical goods, including televisions and mobile phones, from Amazon and had them delivered to his own home.

Kennedy embezzled £4,979.22 worth of goods over the ninemonth period.

Depute fiscal John Penman said that after police became involved and Kennedy’s house was searched, officers were only able to recover items to the value of £1,453.48.

“He was interviewed and made full and frank admissions regarding misuse of the card,” he said.

When he appeared for sentence, Kennedy told Sheriff James Spy he had made no financial gain from any of the activities and was struggling to explain why he did it.

“I gave most of it away. I didn’t need any of it,” he confessed.

“I shouldn’t have done it. I was under a lot of stress at the time.”

Mr Penman said that, while in a position of trust, Kennedy had “overstepped the mark”.

The court heard that, since his dismissal, Kennedy was now acting as a full-time carer.

The sheriff told Kennedy, of Gleddoch Road, Penilee, he had committed a serious breach of trust.

He made him the subject of an 18-month Community Payback Order, requiring him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work in a 15- month period and repay £3500 to the local authority via a Compensation Order.

“Even though you are a first offender, this is a direct alternative to custody,” the sheriff hit out.

“I am giving you a chance and, if you do not take it, you will go to prison for this and the period will be 12 months.”

It was silly — I shouldn’t have done it. I was under a lot of stress at the time