Junkie stole almost £3K from charity

Jul 2 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

AN Armadale man embezzled nearly £3000 from a homeless charity he worked for to feed his drug habit.

Jamie Paterson took £2857 from the Cyrenians organisation based in Bridge Street, Bathgate.

Linlithgow Sheriff Court heard the 28-year-old had used the money to buy heroin.

Last week at the court Paterson, whose address was given as Cricketfield Place, Armadale, pled guilty to the offence.

His solicitor Neil Robertson told the court the money had been repaid in full.

Mr Robertson added: “He accepts this is a serious matter and that he is fully responsible.

“His regret is that he was in a position of trust and he abused that trust. He let down the people who ultimately trusted him.

“His record, although of some antiquity, is analogous.

“Mr Paterson had a drink and drug problem in the past but had got off it.

“Unfortunately he started using heroin again.

“He went back to a way of life he thought he had left behind.

“A custodial sentence could have potentially distressing consequences for him.”

Handing him 160 hours of community service Sheriff Martin Edington said he had come close to jailing Paterson.

Sheriff Edington said: “What appears to come from this report is that although this matter would have come to light anyway it was you who contacted your office manager to tell them.

“You have to appreciate this is a very serious breach of trust involving an employer.

“Embezzlement from an employer in these circumstances almost always leads to a custodial sentence, especially when your employers are an organisation without huge funding who struggle to do good work for those less fortunate.

“Repayment in full does go in your favour although that does not automatically get you out of a custodial sentence.

“Although a custodial sentence was uppermost in the court’s mind I have decided to give you a community service order as a direct alternative.”