Jailed worker who embezzled £8,000 loses sentence appeal

A sales manager who embezzled £8,000 from his employer has lost his appeal against a jail sentence.

Steven Millar was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on December 10 last year.

Millar, who worked for a building and roofing supply company, pocketed cashed paid by customers over the course of three months.

The offence came to light when customers were sent demands by the company’s head office.

The court heard Millar, who had sold the company to his employer, had been in financial difficulty due to a continuing liability to pay debts of the business.

The High Court of Justiciary also heard he had repaid £4,000.

A social work report had recommended a non-custodial sentence for the first offender but this was said to be based on an untrue account of events given by Millar.

Refusing his appeal, Lady Smith said: “We cannot conclude that custody was not called for in this case.

“There was a significant breach of trust which carried on over a three-month period.

“We are further satisfied that the length of the sentence arrived at by the sheriff was entirely appropriate in the circumstances.”