A court has heard how a respected member of the East Neuk community embezzled his local primary school after losing most of a £40,000 Royal Bank of Scotland investment when his shares crashed during the recent banking crisis.
David Burns (61) began embezzling while employed at Elie Primary School. He was told by a sheriff that his appearance in court was ”shameful”.
Burns, of Wadeslea, Elie, appeared for sentence before Sheriff Derek O’Carroll at Cupar on Thursday after previously admitting that over a 14-month period starting in 2010, while employed as a clerical assistant at the school, he embezzled £3,010.
The court was told by depute fiscal Brian Robertson that during his employment Burns had access to a Royal Bank of Scotland card which he used for items like stamps and local purchases.
A business manager at Fife Council became aware that cash was being withdrawn during the summer months through the use of the card held by the accused. The headteacher at the school, who knew nothing about it, expressed surprise that there were any costs at all during the summer holidays.
When a check was carried out it was found that there had been a number of withdrawals, starting in May 2010. Burns was approached and admitted taking the money for his own personal use over 31 transactions.
Mr Robertson said the accused had held his post for about 20 years and when he was asked if he had been experiencing financial hardship replied that it was ”just everyday living”.
Defence solicitor Raymond Watchel told the court that Burns is married with grown-up children and had worked all his life to support his family. At the time of the offences he had been earning £800 every four weeks during term time, having been given his job at the school after originally working as a volunteer.
Mr Watchel said his client had just about enough to support his wife and was just about breaking even. However, the solicitor added, Burns had held RBS shares worth around £40,000 and these had plunged in value from £7 to around 30p each.
There had been a loss of income and he had taken money from the school.
Mr Watchel told the court that Burns had been involved with the local church. He was ashamed and embarrassed for his wife and family to be in court. One of his sons would now sell some shares that he owned so the embezzled cash could be fully repaid.
Sheriff O’Carroll said it was ”indeed shameful” that Burns found himself in the position of appearing in court. He added that the accused had a record of service to the community and the church, and the appearance was highly regrettable.
There had been a breach of trust over a period of time, the sheriff said, and, in such cases, courts have to look at severe sentences.
However, he added that, taking account of Burns’ excellent character and also his age, there would be a non-custodial sentence.
He imposed a community payback order which will require Burns to carry out 100 hours of community service and repay the money in full within one month.