Gordon Beurskens’ embezzlement trial delayed again

THE case of a former councillor charged with embezzling more than £85,000 from an elderly couple has been further delayed.

Gordon Beurskens, 49, was due to stand trial by jury at Livingston Sheriff Court on Monday, but for legal reasons the case has now been adjourned to March 25,

Beurskens, of Longridge, West Lothian, has pleaded not guilty to taking cash from an elderly couple’s bank accounts over a three-year period.

He denies obtaining a mandate to operate five accounts and bank cards held by pensioners James and Janet McQue.

He further denies using their bank cards to conduct online transactions amounting to £743.32 and to make cash withdrawals totalling £6850.

He is alleged to have transferred cash from the couple’s accounts to his account and to have switched money into an account held by his partner Sadie McMillan.

Court papers state that Mr McQue is now dead and Mrs McQue, 83, lives in Dalkeith.

Beurskens was the Action to Save St John’s Hospital councillor for Whitburn and Blackburn, until he lost his seat in the May elections last year.