The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Embezzler brings cash to pay back school club
Sheriff orders woman who stole £1,370 to return it and do 100 of unpaid work
A woman who stole a four-figure sum from an after school club in Angus brought the money to court as she was sentenced yesterday.
Fiona Soutar, of Queen Street, Carnoustie, previously admitted taking £1,370 in cash from the after-school club run at Carlogie Primary School in the town.
The court heard she had worked at the club since 2005 and held the position of assistant manager when the theft came to light.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “Over a period of time suspicions arose in respect of banking matters with the paperwork not matching the bank statements.”
Soutar, who no longer works for the club, embezzled the money over a six month period, from October 25 2015 to March 21 last year.
The 34-year-old, who is a first offender, admitted the offence last month and sentence was deferred for a criminal justice social work report.
Defence agent Ian Myles said: “This has been a very distressing and difficult situation. She has had anxiety over this for some time.”
Referring to the money Soutar brought to court, Mr Myles added: “I have seen the money. I have left it with Mrs Soutar but I can collect it from her and write a cheque or she can present it at the bar.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio ordered Soutar to complete 100 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody.
He told Soutar: “I have read the report and noted the circumstances of this very unfortunate matter. It is plain to me that aside from anything I do you have, to an extent, already been punished by this.
“You have brought along the money and that will be presented to the sheriff clerk later this afternoon. I am going to make a community payback order with a supervision order for three months and a compensation order for £1,370.
“I will order you to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, restricted from 150 hours to take account of your early plea, and this will be an alternative to imprisonment and it has to be completed within one year.”
The club is based in the school’s community education room but is not affiliated with Angus Council, instead run by a voluntary management committee.
All staff are Disclosure Scotland/PVG checked and SSSC registered.
The most recent Care Inspectorate report for the club rated its quality of care and support, and staffing, as “excellent”, the highest grade available.