A baker who embezzled more than £12,000 from a social enterprise company has been ordered to carry out unpaid work as a direct alternative to prison.
Moira Coughlin was also placed on a curfew for four months but was given two nights off a week to attend meetings of Gamblers Anonymous.
Coughlin, 37, spent months covering up the missing cash, which she had taken from the charitable Tayberry Enterprises organisation.
She was blowing the money on gambling.
Sheriff explains sentence
Sheriff Lorna Drummond ordered Coughlin to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and placed her on a 7pm to 7am curfew for four months at Dundee Sheriff Court.
The sheriff told her: “This is a difficult case because you have embezzled a large amount of money – just over £12,000.
“You were in a position of trust with your employer.
“It would justify me sentencing you to custody today.
“Against that, you don’t really have a criminal record.
“You have young children and are a single parent.
“This offence finished in May 2018, over three years ago, and you have been attending Gamblers Anonymous since then.
“You have been studying to get qualifications and that is all to your credit.
“On balance I feel I can deal with this without sending you to jail, given the unusual circumstances and the efforts you have made since this was committed.”
Coughlin’s crimes come to light
Coughlin, of Balmoral Gardens, Dundee, admitted embezzling £12,100 while she was working for Tayberry Enterprises between December 1, 2017 and May 11, 2018.
Fiscal depute Emily Hood told the court: “The accused was working there and in October 2017 she was given responsibility for the payroll and for transferring payments to the bank.
“In January, 2018 a witness noticed that money was not being paid into the bank account but thought nothing of it at that time.
“In February, 2018 they noticed the money had still not been transferred and the accused was asked to do so.
“The accused explained that due to a junior member of staff having a breakdown she had not been able to do what she had been asked to with the money.
“This continued into March and there was still not transfer.
“They spoke to the accused several times and she promised she would bank it but she did not.
“The cash increased to around £12,000.
“She said the money was still in the main safe and she would bank it as soon as she could.
“This continued up until May 2018.”
Defence solicitor
Ms Hood said: “The accused sent a message to a staff member explaining that she had a severe gambling problem and money had been taken from the cafe by her.
“She stated it had been her intention to pay the money back but she had been unable to do so and there was no money to be provided from her.”
Miss Hood told the court that the organisation called in the police and Coughlin was arrested and interviewed but did not make any further comment to officers.
Solicitor Paul Parker-Smith, defending, said: “She is a chef by trade.
“She recently started work and is also due to start a Dundee College course on patisserie.
“She understands that this is a serious matter and will be viewed as such by this court.”
