By Mark Mackay

THE FORMER manager of a Perthshire hotel who admitted stealing £44,439 from his employers over five years will be forced to sell his home to pay the debt.

Andrew Cole (43), of Fearnan, near Aberfeldy, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday and was given until August to conclude the sale.

At a previous appearance Cole, whom Sheriff Robert McCreadie said had committed a “gross breach of trust,” admitted embezzling from the Farleyer House Hotel, at Weem, while employed there between February 3, 1996 and March 31, 2001.

He had initially faced a charge alleging the theft of £191,689, but a plea was accepted for the smaller amount.

However, there could yet be a significant sting in the tale for the disgraced general manager.

The Proceeds of Crime Act enables the Crown to seek recovery of all the money, regardless of the amount Cole has admitted taking.

His solicitor told the court the accused had hoped to gain money from his family to aid his attempt to pay back the sum, but he had been unable to do so.

However, he said his client still intended to make amends.

Sheriff Robert McCreadie said, “It is appropriate that Mr Cole should pay back the amount to which he pled guilty to embezzling at the Farleyer House Hotel.

He told the accused, “As general manager for five years you were in a position of trust.

“What you did was a gross breach of that trust.”