The manager of a Dundee under-9s boys’ football team who stole £1,500 from the club forcing The View to step in and support the team has been spared a prison sentence.
Kevin Freeston (45), of St Kilda Road, was found guilty after trial last month of stealing the money over the period of almost a year, between July 30 2008 and June 5 2009.
He had originally been charged with embezzling more than £3,000 from the club.
Sheriff Jamie Gilmour ordered Freeston to pay back the money to the club and to carry out 160 hours of community service.
The View singer Kyle Falconer and guitarist Pete Reilly turned out for the side as young boys and when they heard of the club’s plight they stepped in to buy new strips for the team.
Freeston had deposited more than £1,500 of the club’s funds into his daughter’s bank account, the trial at Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
Defence solicitor Ian Houston said Freeston ”had nothing to show” for the money he had stolen.
He said: ”He’s a man of mature years who has never been in trouble before. It may well be, as is so often the case, that the money was frittered away without the person concerned having anything to show for it.
”There’s no sign of any financial gain on the part of the accused. It’s quite the opposite he has severe financial difficulties.”
Sheriff Gilmour said: ”I’m mindful of the fact you are a first offender and see community service as the best possibility.
”You were in a position of trust with the boys’ club funds and had full control over them. You were working with volunteer helpers who were trying to raise money for the club and that money was lost.”