A Perth pub worker has admitted stealing hundreds of pounds from bosses in a midnight safe raid.
Gary Stewart was caught on CCTV creeping into the city centre Foundry bar after closing time.
The 34-year-old let himself in using his own staff keys, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
Stewart appeared in the dock and pled guilty to stealing £1,550 from the Belhaven-operated establishment on Murray Street on July 15 2019.
A sheriff described the crime as an “abuse of a position of trust.”
Caught on camera
Fiscal depute Rebecca Kynaston said: “At the time of this offence, the accused was employed at The Foundry public house in Perth.
“The manager had cashed up the previous evening and put a quantity of money in the safe.
“The following morning, she went back to the safe and recounted the cash in order to put it into the tills.
“She became aware that there was a quantity of money missing.”
Ms Kynaston told the court: “A review of CCTV was carried out and the accused was seen entering the premises at 4am, using his keys.
“He walked through the bar towards the area where the safe is located.
“The accused was then seen to leave some 20 minutes later. He locked up the premises.”
The fiscal depute said Stewart was the only person to have entered the bar that night.
“Police were informed and the accused was questioned,” she said.
“He gave a ‘no comment’ interview.”
Stewart, of New Row, was originally charged with stealing £3,050, but pled guilty to taking a lesser amount.
History of dishonesty
Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said: “This happened some time ago and Mr Stewart now works for a local factory.
“He would be able to repay the sum in monthly instalments.”
Mr Holmes suggested the court could defer sentence to allow his client to save up the money.
Sheriff Paul Reid agreed to adjourn until next month.
“Given Mr Stewart has a previous offence of dishonesty and that this was an abuse of a position of trust, background reports will be required to inform sentencing.
“This will be an opportunity to see how determined an effort can made into amassing funds to repay this money.”
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
