Inverness post office embezzler may escape jail term

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A WOMAN who embezzled £6,000 from the sub-post office in Inverness where she worked may escape prison if she pays the money back.

A sheriff today deferred sentence for six weeks on Elaine Murray (40) of Mackay Road, Inverness, who last month at the city’s sheriff court admitted embezzling the cash from Kinmylies Post Office in Charleston Court.

Mackay had originally been charged with embezzling £21,753 between January 10 and September 23, 2009.

But the Crown accepted a guilty plea to just £6,000, sparking an angry reaction from her former boss.

Shopkeeper Innes Macdonald (44) said after the hearing last month his family had suffered considerably as a result of his financial loss and he was having to pay back £22,000 to the Post Office.

Sentence on Murray had been deferred for social inquiry reports.

Depute Fiscal Garry Sturrock told the court Mackay today was employed as manager of the Post Office.

The fiscal said the owner of the Post Office became aware over a period of time takings were going missing and the accountant was called in to check the books. It was discovered Murray had been taking money from the business.

Mackay was interviewed by police in January 2010 and she made an admission to the theft but not the figure originally libelled.

The fiscal said she told police "I did take it. I got myself into a financial situation. It started with small amounts. I didn’t keep a total. I don’t think it was that much."

Sheriff Margaret Neilson was told by her solicitor she was a single mum and had got into financial difficulties at the time of the offence.

William Young said he acknowledged restitution had so far not been made. "But as a result of family members being made aware of her situation she has now secured the amount libelled."

Mr Young said Mackay was also in employment earning £170 per week.

At the time the money was taken, Mr Young said she was effectively a single parent with a one child to support. But she also had two older children and a grandchild.

He said she had been involved in a "fairly turbulent" relationship before. "She was left with considerable debt which she struggled to cope with."

The solicitor said the report indicated she was hoping to repay the money she was taking from the business. "But her debt increased and matters snowballed and she eventually made the situation known to her employer.

He said Mackay had never been in trouble before and was ashamed of her conduct.

"She has taken steps with her family and is now in a position to repay this sum."

Mr Young said they were aware it was an offence which could carry a custodial sentence but given the position he hoped the court to deal with the case by a non-custodial sentence.

Sheriff Neilson told Mackay it was a serious matter involving a gross breach of trust. "I will defer sentence for six weeks and expect full restitution to be made to your former employer."
She told Mackay the court would then decide on an appropriate sentence and custody remained an option. Sentence was deferred until January 17.

[TeeferTiger]

I didn't understand this before... and I still don't.

She gets off jaill if she pays back the £6k, but there's still over £21k that went missing and that her boss has to pay back. How can they accept a lesser charge of less than 1/3 of what is missing and yet still demand payment from the boss?! I appreciate he was in charge and therefore responsible for his staff, but if she's the only one who's been stealing, why should he have to bear the cost of what she's done?