A single mum who stole from an school parent council fund has been given unpaid work but will not have to pay back the money.
Amanda Donnelly, 41, appeared for the first time at Dundee Sheriff Court for sentencing, after earlier admitting her guilt via her solicitor.
The first offender admitted embezzling £2,402.81 cash from the parent council board at Victoria Park Primary School while co-chair of the group.
The money was taken from the board of the Dundee school on a number of occasions between March 15 2019 and March 5 2020.
A visibly upset Donnelly appeared before Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC, having completed meetings with social work and criminal justice reports.
Remorse expressed
Solicitor Eve McKaig, in mitigation for Donnelly, said her client was “very sorry”.
“She appears in court as a first offender.
“She is at pains to point out her remorse.
“She is really very sorry about this offence.
“She has been very anxious about appearing in court.
“She is a single parent.”
Ms McKaig said Donnelly is in receipt of benefits but could pay back the money at a rate of £30 per month, meaning it would take more than six and a half years to complete repayment.
Sentencing
Sheriff Drummond said: “This is your first offence.
“I take this into consideration and I accept you are clearly remorseful for your actions.
“It does not seem to me to be the right disposal is that you pay it back (in such small amounts).
“The alternative is unpaid work.
“You are going to have to do 180 hours unpaid over the next 18 months.
“I know you have commitments in your life but you will need to attend all of the required appointments, or you will end up back before the court.”
Donnelly, of Leith Gardens, will have 18 months to complete the unpaid work as part of a community payback order.
