Fundraiser admits theft of cot death charity cash

A MAN stole cash from a charity event he had organised to raise money in memory of a baby who died of cot death.

Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how Justin Mackland, 25, contacted the charity Layla’s Angels and asked for permission to set up a Hallowe’en ball at his local village hotel on October 31, 2014.

The hairdresser was in charge of transferring cash from ticket sales and donations into the charity’s Just Giving account.

All money raised through the Newmachar Hotel event was to be given to the charity, which was set up in memory of baby Layla Lovie, who died a few months after she was born in 2013.

However, Mackland, of Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, stole some of the cash. He was charged after Layla’s Angels grew suspicious and called in police.

Mackland yesterday admitted a charge of theft. The court heard that it was not until December 1 that £615 was paid into the charity’s account, with a further £500 transferred in two weeks later.

When interviewed by police in June 2015, Mackland admitted to police that after raising the cash he spent £500, thinking no one would notice. By the time of his interview with officers in June 2015, all cash had been repaid.

Sheriff Christine McCrossan ordered him to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work.