A retired social worker has been fined after repeatedly logging into council computers illegally to look at files relating to a child.
Moira Adam had previously admitted accessing the data illegally at the Colonsay Resource Centre in Perth on dates between November 20 2012 and June 4 2013 and then passing on the information she had obtained to the child’s mother.
Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson said the 67-year-old was employed as a social worker but had no involvement in the child’s case when she accessed the secure system on 46 occasions.
He added that Adam had since retired from Perth and Kinross Council’s social work department.
Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: “This lady is a mature lady and of generally good character.”
She went on: “Mrs Adam had considerable concerns about (the child) but in the cold light of day she accepts that this was not the way to deal with it she should have alerted the proper authorities.”
She added that Adam had made her bosses at the council aware of what she had done and that there was no attempt to “dodge the bullet”.
Sheriff Fiona Tait said: “I am mindful that you are a first offender and that you have an unblemished work record.”
She fined Adam, of Uist Place, Perth, £400.