A Bookkeeper wrote herself cheques from her employer then spent the money on flashy jewellery and expensive holidays.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Catherine Bryceland, 50, embezzled £60,000 from a painting and decorating firm where she worked.
Bryceland, of Wellgrove Street, had sentence deferred after admitting one charge of embezzlement.
The court heard she transferred money from the bank account of her employer Raymond Gloag Painters and Decorators into her own personal account.
She also wrote herself cheques which director Raymond Gloag had signed blank, trusting her to use them for business as the company required.
Fiscal Depute Donna Brown said the “amateur nature” of the embezzlement was discovered after 18 months.
The fiscal said: “During that period the accused transferred money into her own personal bank account.
“The amateur nature of this embezzlement was discovered upon forensic examination of documents, in particular records, and bank statements of the accused.
“She made cheques payable to herself which was easy to do given that Mr Gloag trusted her so much with the financial affairs of the company.
“He would simply sign his name to a number of blank cheques.
“The £60,000 embezzled by the accused was used by her to purchase cars, holidays and jewellery, amongst other things.”
The court heard the company had benefited from an increase in turnover between 2001 to 2008, before declining sharply over the next two years.
By the end of the financial year in 2010 the business had lost £200,000 and in 2011 it went into administration.
The fiscal added: “The Crown does not suggest the accused was responsible for the company being placed into administration but she did abuse her position of trust within the company for her own personal gain.”
Bryceland admitted embezzling £60,000 from Raymond Gloag Painters and Decorators, Unit 4, Angus Works, Fairbairn Street, while employed as a bookkeeper, between July 1 2007 and December 31 2008.
Sheriff Michael Fletcher deferred called for background reports and deferred sentencing until June 29.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.