Former Elgin City and Buckie Thistle player has three months to repay thousands owed to customers

A former footballer who failed to deliver football training packages and sponsorship to customers who paid him thousands of pounds has three months to pay them back.

Ex Elgin City player Ceiran McLean, also a Highland League winner with Buckie Thistle in 2017, pled guilty to breaching consumer protection laws on May 7.

The 34-year-old accepted a plea deal on that date at Elgin Sheriff Court with fiscal depute Victoria Silver accepting not guilty pleas for 18 fraud charges against him.

However, McLean would have to pay £10,686.66 to those impacted.

He returned to the court yesterday (July 3) to be sentenced but solicitor Robert Cruickshank called for a deferral, stating that McLean, whose address was given as Inchbroom Avenue in Lossiemouth, had been working “very long hours” but had only saved more than half the money he has to repay.

Mr Cruickshank said that McLean was “confident” that the rest of the balance would be saved within three months.

Sheriff David Harvie agreed but stated that a “substantial financial penalty” is likely to follow adding that this could be “tempered” if he makes full restitution.

McLean will return to the court on October 2.