A shamed former charity boss who staged fundraising poker nights and then pocketed the money has been jailed for 11 months.
Thousands of pounds went missing over a three year period while George McFarlane advanced through the ranks at the Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services (PKAVS).
During his trial, Perth Sheriff Court heard the 44-year-old care service manager had taken the poker proceeds to pubs and clubs in the city.
He had denied taking the money but was found guilty of taking £5,125 at The Glen Bar in Perth between November 29, 2011 and June 1, 2014.
McFarlane had previously admitted fraudulently using a business fuel card for his own use and filing false expense claims with the PKAVS office in North Methven Street between April 30, 2012 and September 1, 2014.
The court heard that his actions had been concealed for a time by the charity’s chaotic approach to finances, with one former employee describing it as “slapdash”.
PKAVS said its procedures had since been overhauled.
* For more on this story see Thursday’s Courier, also available as a digital edition.
