The boss of a busy Angus bingo hall has admitted pilfering more than £15,000 from its safe and cooking the books to disguise her thefts.
Lindsey Crooknorth appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court to admit a year-long campaign of embezzling from Buzz Bingo in Arbroath when she was its manager.
The 41-year-old was rumbled when a company auditor began reviewing floats across the firm’s branches.
Her solicitor explained that during the pandemic, Crooknorth had become addicted to incentivised games run by her own employer.
Crooknorth, who now works for a mental health charity, will be sentenced next month.
Audit discovery
Prosecutor Jill Drummond explained Crooknorth’s safe-plundering was discovered by a business auditor working from home in December 2023.
Buzz Bingo’s loss prevention and security manager had been tasked with carrying out remote float value checks at branches, starting alphabetically.
Discrepancies quickly arose in the Arbroath branch records and Buzz Bingo’s regional manager was alerted.
“It was confirmed the accused was working during the period,” Ms Drummond said.
“The total amount missing was £15,390.”
The regional manager and another employee went to the branch on December 28 2023 and had an informal discussion with Crooknorth.
Ms Drummond said: “The accused confirmed she knew why the were in attendance.
“She explained she began gambling during Covid, required more money and as a result had taken money from the branch.
“Police were contacted and notified of the offence. The accused was interviewed, spoke freely and made full admissions.”
Gambling habit
Crooknorth’s solicitor Callum McCormack said: “She was employed by Buzz Bingo for 20 years and was in the role of general manager at the time.
“Buzz Bingo offer employee incentives for them to engage in what Mrs Crooknorth describes as games online.
“She started doing this during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
“She sadly developed a gambling addiction and required more money to continue playing – she started by taking smallish amounts in December 2022.”
Mr McCormack added: “She fully intended to put that money back but as we know, gambling isn’t a certain winner and she wasn’t able to win that money back.
“It snowballed from there and she finds herself in the predicament she’s in today.
“She had previously offered to pay Buzz Bingo the full amount back and had indicated a payment plan. That was before matters were reported to the police.
“She was gambling in secret. Her husband and family weren’t aware. That compounded matters.
“She has been partaking in gambling addiction services, she’s had no relapse and today is gambling-free.
“She never expected to find herself in a courtroom and doesn’t expect to again, she’s quite frankly mortified by this incident and wishes to put matters behind her.”
Mr McCormack explained his client has other credit card debt related to her addiction.
‘Serious’ offence
Crooknorth, of Friockheim, pled guilty to embezzling £15,390 from the High Street bingo hall she managed between December 2022 and December 2023.
The first offender admitted she withdrew money from the safe and altered system values to hide those withdrawals.
Mr McCormack said his client would offer to pay back her former employers at £250 per month.
The Gambling Commission website reveals Crooknorth surrendered her personal management licence in March 2024.
Sheriff Clair McLachlan deferred sentencing until July 31 and ordered background reports.
The sheriff told her: “We’re looking at an alternative to custody.
“All of this makes me question if it’s realistic she can pay such a high amount in a reasonable timeframe.
“There’s no point in setting you up to fail or punishing your family.
“I appreciate your remorse and that this is a first offence but it’s a serious one.”
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