Mum offers to remortgage house after daughter embezzles £25,000

Published on Friday 13 June 2008 10:49

THE MOTHER of a tennis club treasurer who embezzled almost £25,000 over two years has offered to remortgage her home to pay back the money taken by her daughter.

Moira Morris, 51, was treasurer of the Capital's Craigmillar Park Tennis Club when she embezzled 24,997 between February 2004 and February 2006.

Morris, of Moredunvale Loan, had previously pleaded guilty to the offence at the city's Sheriff Court and sentence had been deferred until today for background reports.

The embezzlement came to light when a creditor complained about not receiving payment. The club's secretary contacted Morris and she admitted cashing 25 cheques for her own use.

Defence agent Eddie Wilson told Sheriff Andrew Lothian that his client was already paying the club back at the rate of 500 a month. So far 10,300 had been paid, leaving a balance of just under 15,000.

She was also, he said, paying 300 a month to settle debts brought about by "failed enterprises."

Morris was now living with her mother, said Mr Wilson, and the mother had offered to raise a mortage on her home to pay the balance due to the club.

Sheriff Lothian said the embezzlement of such a large sum would normally result in a prison sentence, but he acknowledged that Morris, a first offender, had made significant repayments.

He ordered her to pay off the balance of 15,000 within two months.

He said: "I know this will be difficult for your mother, but the tennis club are entitled to their money back soonest."

He also ordered Morris to carry out 240 hours of community service.