Travel firm worker took cash to pay for own trips

A TRAVEL agent stole hundreds of pounds from customers to fund her own family holidays.

Karen Park lost the job she had held for 16 years when it was discovered she had been conning holidaymakers to fund her own trip.

Park’s embezzlement was revealed during an audit at the Co-Op travel agency in Perth and she admitted taking the money when she was quizzed.

Park, 49, of The Avenue, Forgandenny, admitted embezzling £857 at Co-Op Travel between January 24 and August 24, 2015.

Fiscal depute Carol Whyte told Perth Sheriff Court the money was taken during transactions relating to three holiday bookings.

She kept money from one customer who had left the shop in a hurry and had not been given a receipt for the sum he had paid towards his foreign break.

Park had also used another customer’s credit card details after taking a booking over the phone for the customer concerned.

Mrs Whyte said: “The final amount relates to where the accused used the credit card details to make a payment towards her own family holiday. The accused has left her employment.”

Pauline Cullerton, defending, said her client had felt “targeted” by other members of staff and had also suffered from health problems. “She is very ashamed by her actions,” Mrs Cullerton said.

Sheriff William Wood said: “You are ashamed of your actions and you are right to be. This was a breach of trust of your employers and of the customers.”

He ordered Park to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and pay £857 compensation.