Employee used owner's bank account
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A FORMER Forres chef appeared in court last week after admitting using his boss's bank accounts to buy goods for himself.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard last week that John Dowling (34), of Emslie Court, Lhanbryde, had been employed by the Mosset Tavern, in Forres, for 13 years, and was entrusted by boss Gordon Brailsford to use the owner's bank account and cash and carry account to buy goods for the business.
The court was told that on various occasions between October 20, 2017 and October 19, 2018, he used his boss's account to make unauthorised domestic purchases for his own use, including pet food and drinks, amounting over time to £2682 worth of goods.
Irregularities in the accounts were spotted by a bookkeeper sorting through expenditure and invoices, who then notified the owner.
On October 20 last year, the owner asked Dowling about the purchases and Dowling admitted making them – the conversation was recorded on Mr Brailsford's phone.
Dowling lost his job at the pub and police were informed. He told police he had "intended to pay the money back but hadn't got round to doing it" and revealed he had debt problems and had been coping with a bereavement.
The court heard that Dowling, who represented himself in court, has paid a portion of the money back.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank ordered Dowling to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within six months, with a compensation requirement to pay back a sum yet to be ascertained.
