Courts in Moray: Former building society worker stole £10k
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A former building society worker found guilty of embezzling nearly £10,000 has been ordered to carry out unpaid work for the community.
Kaitlyn Brown stole £9762 from the Elgin branch of Nationwide between August 31 and November 15, 2019.
The 22-year-old, who was found guilty following a trial, returned to Elgin Sheriff Court to be sentenced.
Sheriff David Harvie called Brown "manipulative" and expressed concern that she continued to maintain her innocence.
He added that the defendant had failed on three separate occasions to give any alternative explanation as to how the money had gone missing.
Firstly, he said, there was an internal disciplinary process conducted by the Nationwide.
Next, there was the trial, where Brown chose not to give evidence.
Then, following that, there was the report conducted by the court's social workers.
The court heard that Brown could not repay the money.
Defence solicitor Matthew O'Neil said: "She is aware that the gravity of the offence means her short terms plans could be impacted
"Clearly the building society has been required to operate at a loss due to the funds that have been taken out.
"Any form of compensation would have to be a relatively modest payment. It might take a significant time for the wrong to be righted."
Sheriff Harive stopped short of jailing Brown, whose address was given in court papers as Thornhill Drive, Elgin.
He said: "This is a really serious offence. It's a breach of trust and it's s substantial sum of money.
"I could sent you to prison but I'm taking into account your age and your lack of a record."
Brown was instead given a 200-hour community punishment order and placed under the court's supervision for the next year.
