Fake orders worth £60,000

A Stirling Council street lamp inspector stole £61,000 worth of electrical equipment to get money for gambling.

Craig Strathearn, who worked for the council for 17 years, was jailed on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old was authorised to place orders for materials needed in the course of his job.

He was also issued with a council credit card for use in emergencies.

Stirling Sheriff Court was told that while he was on annual leave it was discovered he had been ordering tools and materials through the official ordering system without authorisation and also charging them to the council’s purchasing card.

Prosecutor Kavin Ryan- Hume said: “All the materials that were ordered were unaccounted for.

“When he returned to work he was challenged about the unauthorised purchases.

“He admitted making unauthorised purchases for a number of materials for personal use. He admitted placing orders, collecting the items, and dropping the materials off at his home address.

“He said he thereafter sold on the materials to an electrician, whom he refused to name. He explained his reason for doing so was to fund his gambling addiction.”

An internal investigation was launched and Strathearn admitted placing fraudulent orders and selling the materials on.

Mr Ryan-Hume said: “The