By Gordon Berry

A NIGHT auditor who staged a robbery and then tied himself up in an attempt to put police off his trail was jailed for nine months at Cupar Sheriff Court yesterday.

Paul Adams (34), described as a prisoner at Perth, later gambled away all of the money he stole from one of Scotland’s top hotels.

Adams admitted stealing £3776.95 from St Andrews’ Old Course Hotel between February 23 and 26 this year.

He further admitted he falsely stated to the police he had been assaulted and robbed in the course of his employment.

Procurator Fiscal Edward Russell told the court the accused had been in custody since being arrested, and that the offences occurred after he had been employed as a night auditor.

Mr Russell said the accused obtained employment at the hotel despite having a previous conviction for embezzlement.

He added it was not clear if the hotel had made any background inquiries into Adams’ suitability for employment.

The procurator said the money stolen was takings from the hotel’s bar and restaurant.

He said Adams had twice gone to a local bookmakers, where he lost a considerable sum of money.

To cover his tracks, Adams struck his head against a wall, bound his arms and legs with cable ties and pulled a pillowcase over his head.

At least 24 police officers were involved in the investigation at a cost of around £7800 before Adams admitted the crime.

It is reported that £1600 of the stolen money remains missing.

Yesterday, defence solicitor Kate Howitt blamed Adams’ debts—of around £34,000—and the breakdown of his marriage for the incident.

She said that his financial situation became even more desperate when he was forced to hire a private detective and a solicitor after his wife left for South Africa, taking their two children with her.

Ms Howitt said Adams had a continuing gambling problem, and added that he had initially taken the bar and restaurant takings to place a bet in the hope of solving his problems.

Unfortunately, when the horse lost he tried again, making his situation worse.

She said Adams—who has already spent 120 days on remand—fully accepted responsibility and expected to face a custodial sentence.

Passing sentence, Sheriff George Evans said the crime involved a substantial sum of money and a serious breach of trust.

Noting that it was not the first time Adams has committed such an offence, he said that events seemed almost “farcical,” and were the actions of an amateur rather than of a criminal mastermind.

Acknowledging the financial pressure Adams was under, the Sheriff limited the prison sentence to nine months, back-dating it to the date he was first taken into custody.