Parkinson's drugs save embezzler from jail

A GOLF official who embezzled nearly £70,000 has escaped jail after telling a court his medication for Parkinson's Disease may have been responsible for his behaviour.

George McIntosh, 53, stole the cash while treasurer of the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and financial convener for his local golf club. He used the money on lavish gifts for friends and family.

But the Parkinson's sufferer claims his medication – dopamine agonists – gave him a "compulsive generosity", which led to him taking the money.

He was caught when it became apparent his illness made him unfit to carry out his duties at Newmachar Golf Club in Aberdeenshire. The father of three previously admitted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court embezzling the large sums of cash.

Yesterday, Sheriff Annella Cowan ordered him to carry out 200 hours' community service and pay his victims compensation.

She said: "I've given a certain amount of thought to the medical background, but I have to balance that with the fact you embezzled from the golf union for a period of five years, partly, it has to be said, because their accounting procedures were non-existent.

"In the whole circumstances, I don't think a jail sentence will achieve anything, rather you should return some service to the community."

Lawyer David Moggach said McIntosh's life had taken a turn for the worse when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1995.

The court heard the divorc stole about 20,000 from the SGU by writing cheques to himself or his wife. He also withdrew cash from the union's bank account between 2004 and 2007.

The golfing body's finances were not audited at the time.

McIntosh embezzled a further 47,000 from Newmachar Golf Club after working on a voluntary basis. Some of the money, about 6,000, was recovered from a friend.

Mr Moggach said: "He was placed on medication for his illness in 2001. It has subsequently been recognised that these drugs can be associated with impulsive behaviour."

Sheriff Cowan gave McIntosh the chance to pay the SGU a sum of 6,500 by 25 August, 2011. And she ordered him to repay 50 a month to Newmachar Golf Club over five years.

After the hearing, McIntosh apologised for his behaviour. He said: "I am in quite a bit of shock. I was expecting to get jailed.

"I am very disappointed in myself and would like to publicly apologise to members of the Scottish Golf Union and Newmachar Golf Club. I let them all down."

He went on: "I've been involved in golf for 40 years, and now this case has cost me all my friends. I've suffered a gradual deterioration with Parkinson's and have had to take this medication to keep me going.

"What else can I do? The only other option available is to have surgery, where they drill a hole in my brain and use wires."

In the past, Parkinson's patients were given drugs to mimic the effects of the loss of dopamine, which is known to help the brain seek sources of pleasure. But studies have revealed that the drugs can have startling side-effects, with some patients becoming excessive gamblers.