Shamed Perth charity boss jailed after pocketing funds

George McFarlane was found guilty of depriving the PKAVS charity of more than £7,000

A shamed former charity boss who staged fundraising poker nights and then pocketed the money has been jailed for 11 months.

Thousands of pounds went missing over a three-year period while George McFarlane advanced through the ranks at the Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services (PKAVS).

During his trial, Perth Sheriff Court heard the 44-year-old care service manager had taken the poker proceeds to pubs and clubs in the city.

He had denied taking the money but was found guilty of taking £5,125 at The Glen Bar in Perth between November 29 2011 and June 1 2014.

McFarlane had previously admitted fraudulently using a business fuel card for his own use and filing false expense claims with the PKAVS office in North Methven Street between April 30 2012 and September 1 2014.

The court heard that his actions had been concealed for a time by the charity’s chaotic approach to finances, with one former employee describing it as “slapdash”.

PKAVS said its procedures had since been overhauled.

The irregularities finally came to light in 2014 and an internal investigation took place in December of that year.

Bosses contacted the police to report they had been the victims of financial crime and to report their suspicions about McFarlane.

In total, he was found to have deprived the charity of £7,394, of which he has since paid back £2,000.

Solicitor Linda Clark said her client, who was dismissed by PKAVS but had since found new work with a “family firm”, was filled with remorse.

“Mr McFarlane was a valued member of the team and went out of his way to raise funds and awareness for the organisation,” she said.

“He was employed for a considerable period of time, during which he was promoted through the ranks.

“He was well thought of and is ashamed by the situation he now finds himself in.

“He has expressed remorse that he let his employers down.

“The loss of his employment was devastating as it was a job he had put his heart and soul into.”

The agent asked that the court consider a non-custodial sentence for her client, of Stormont Road in Perth.

Sheriff Gillian Wade, however, was unmoved by that plea.

She told McFarlane: “It is a great shame that you find yourself in this situation as you are not a man I would expect to see here in court.

“This is, however, a serious offence and it is a significant amount of money, taken while you were in a position of trust.

“Custody is realistic.”

He has expressed remorse that he let his employers down. LINDA CLARK

George McFarlane expressed his remorse.