Unwell solicitor delays trial of charity accused

Further evidence in the trial of a Scone man, accused of ripping off a leading local charity to the tune of almost £6000, was delayed yesterday because his lawyer is unwell.

A warrant had initially been issued for the arrest of 43-year-old Stewart McFarlane after he failed to appear for the start of the resumed embezzlement trial.

But he turned up a short time later and lawyer Billy Somerville apologised for his absence.

After hearing that the accused didn’t appear to have been sent a reminder letter, Sheriff Gillian Wade agreed to withdraw the warrant.

Mr McFarlane, of Stormont Road, Scone, has denied embezzling £5795.22p while employed as a care services manager with the Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services (PKAVS), based at The Gateway on Perth’s North Methven Street.

The offence is said to have taken place between November 27, 2011, and June 1, 2014, at the Glen Bar, Edinburgh Road, Perth, and elsewhere, while he was in a position of trust.

The court was told last month that less than a fortnight after the accused was suspended over alleged financial irregularities at the charity, he submitted a resignation letter.

Thirty-nine-year-old Zoe Cormack, human resources manager for the Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS), said Stewart McFarlane had agreed to leave the building. “He was very quiet about the news. “There were no raised voices or anything like that.”

Asked by depute fiscal Lisa Marshall if he was“in shock,”she replied:“No, not that I recall.”

Ms Cormack said it was decided he would be suspended“without prejudice”while an internal investigation was carried out.

About 10-12 days after he was suspended, however, the letter of resignation was received.

“The internal investigation was still ongoing although the majority of it had been completed,”she added.

She later confirmed with him that he was“definitely resigning”from the organisation.

Part of the investigations centred on charity poker events that they had held - they could expect to generate between £1,000 and £1200 each at such fund-raisers.

She checked paper and electronic records but could find no trace of any cash being deposited in relation to any of these events.

Asked about any hobbies the accused had, she said she later discovered that Stewart“liked playing poker”.

It wasn’t something she was aware of, however, prior to him leaving.

Proceedings will resume with further evidence from prosecution witnesses on March 21.