Man ordered to pay back £10k stolen from work

A PHOTO booth worker who helped himself to more than £10,000 worth of takings in one month was yesterday ordered to pay back the cash.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Colin Smith, 35, worked for Snap Digital Imaging and his job was to travel around Scotland collecting the coins from the photo booths.

At an earlier hearing, fiscal depute Malcolm Stewart said: "His job took him to several locations across central and northern Scotland and he was tasked with emptying the booths and putting the money in the bank.

"But instead of banking the money, he used the cash to pay off debts he ran up with bills and mortgage payments."

Smith, of Spey Street, Kingussie, was interviewed by police and made a full admission, which was confirmed by an audit by head office, said Mr Stewart.

The court heard that the company had ceased operating and Smith had been in touch with the liquidators to pay back the cash.

He told the court he has a new job earning up to 600 a week and would be in a position to pay back the money.

Smith admitted embezzling 10,724 while he was employed by Snap Digital Imaging, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. He carried out the offence between 1-30 August, 2008, at booths in Edinburgh and across Scotland.

Defence agent David Taylor said Smith was a first offender and as he had identified himself to the liquidators, they would be in a position to chase him for repayment.

Sheriff Deidre MacNeill, QC, told Smith she would have been considering custody, but that there were other options available.

She said she would have imposed community service, but would give Smith the opportunity to work and pay the money back.

The sheriff deferred sentence for six months for him to repay the cash and to be of good behaviour.