Assistant manager stole from employer to pay off drugs debts

A former assistant manager at a Dunfermline building supplies firm has been sentenced to unpaid work for swindling the company he worked for.

Christopher Ayres, 41, formerly of Blairhall but now living in Clydebank, was in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after he admitted embezzling £1,800 at Keyline Builders Merchants on the Pitreavie Business Park between May 26 and November 14.

Depute fiscal Jane Rennie said Ayres’ job at Keyline involved handling cash.

The finger of suspicion was pointed at him when management noticed the takings were short and an investigation was carried out.

“It was established that the common denominator in the staff working when the money was going missing was the accused,” she added.

When questioned by his manager, Ayres admitted taking the money and the police were contacted.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Mathieson-Dear said: “He became homeless after being ejected by his then partner.”

This led to him becoming dependent on alcohol and cocaine, running up significant debt, he added.

“He was pilfering money from his employer in order to pay off drug debts,” the solicitor said.

“He was putting the money back in later but then taking out some more. It has to be accepted this was a completely deplorable breach of trust.”

Mr Mathieson-Dear said his client had still not paid back any of the money.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher imposed a community payback order with 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay £1,800 compensation to his former employers.