News / SIC embezzler placed under supervision
A COUNCIL administrator in Shetland who embezzled more than £5,000 from her former employer escaped a jail sentence on Thursday at Lerwick Sheriff Court.
Diane Pottinger, of 21a Hillhead, Lerwick, pled guilty last month to siphoning off £5,089.10 from Shetland Islands Council’s infrastructure department between 1 April 2011 and 1 September the following year.
Pottinger pocketed the money from members of the public who paid for wheelie bins, black bags and other waste disposal materials, instead of recording the amounts she was taking.
Last month the court heard that she had repaid all the money and that the council would never have discovered where the cash had disappeared without Pottinger’s cooperation.
The council had accepted partial responsibility for what happened, as she had been put in charge of handling the cash without training or supervision.
On Thursday Sheriff Philip Mann told the 29 year old that he was satisfied that justice could be done without sending her to jail.
Pottinger was put under supervision for a year and was told to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work over a period of nine months.
The sheriff also warned her not to slip up on complying with the order as otherwise there “was a distinct possibility of a jail sentence because of the seriousness of the offence”.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.