Fomer Celtic player turned storeman admits workplace theft

A FORMER Celtic player has admitted stealing thousands of pounds worth of specialist engineering equipment while employed as a storeman.
Dugald McCarrison admited the theft from his employerDugald McCarrison admited the theft from his employer
Dugald McCarrison admited the theft from his employer

Dugald McCarrison, 46, had been working with global company Valve Components Limited in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire who make and sell products for the oil and gas industry.

McCarrison, who played as a midfielder for the Glasgow side for five years scoring one goal, was carrying out his usual duties when a delivery of stems arrived.

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However, a stock check later revealed seven items were missing and an investigation was launched.

CCTV showed the items arriving but no further record of them was ever found which led to a wider search of the company.

This new search discovered 70 stems, which sell for as much as £1500 each, were missing and police were called in.

They watched CCTV footage showing McCarrison putting boxes of stems into his car on four separate occasions.

Nearby scrap metal dealers were contacted and it was discovered he had sold 30 of them for the scrap value of just £200 each.

McCarrison, of Strathaven, Lanarkshire, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted the theft between March and July last year.

However, he disputes the amount of equipment he stole insisting it was just 30 specialist stems valued at around £45,000 .

A further hearing has been arranged to debate the amount but prosecutors say 70 stems in total were stolen by McCarrison which have a value of £100,000.

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The stems are used in valves to control the flow and pressure of contents including oil and gas.

Depute fiscal Michael McIntosh said: “The accused was employed as a storeman with Valve Components Limited who are a specialist company making components for the oil and gas industry.

“A stock check was carried out which disclosed seven particular items were missing which were specialist engineering items.

“CCTV showed the items had been delivered but no further record had been made.

“That led to a wider search which discovered 70 stems were missing which are made to order and the retail value is between £1000 to £1500.

“Police were contacted and after viewing CCTV on four separate occasions the accused was seen taking boxes and putting them in his own vehicle.

“Scrap metal dealers were contacted and it was discovered one had a number of these items in stock.

“Employees identified eleven stems which had been stolen and these were returned to the company.

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“The accused was detained where he made admissions to stealing the items but insisted the quantity was 30.

“Further investigation showed the weight of material corresponded closely with the weight of 70 stems.

“No further stems have been recovered and the loss to the company is between £70,000 and £100,000.”

McCarrison made his debut for the Parkhead side in 1987 but failed to secure a regular spot in the team before leaving in 1993.

The midfielder also played for Kilmarnock, Hamilton Accies, Ipswich and Darlington before breaking his leg in a horror incident during a friendly game in a gala day tournament in Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire.

He blames the injury for ending his professional football career.

McCarrison, who refused to comment, returns to court later this month.

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