Rebecca Buchan
A man has been fined for embezzling more than £100 from an Aberdeen bargain store in order to support his pregnant girlfriend.
Gary Toner formed a scheme to carry out a series of refunds while working at Poundstretcher, so he could pocket the cash.
But when an area manager visited the branch to check on the stock, they discovered the items refunded had never even been sold.
After checking CCTV footage, bosses at the Union Street store discovered the 35-year-old had been carrying out the transactions when there was nobody else with him at the till.
And when he was questioned about the missing £109.95, Toner owned up and said he was hoping to gamble the cash in order to make some quick money for his unborn baby.
Yesterday, the case against the dad-of-one was heard at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where his solicitor, Liam McAllister, pled guilty on his behalf.
The court heard Toner had carried out transactions on February 4, 6 and 8 this year and, once the crimes were discovered, he was fired.
Mr McAllister said his client’s actions had been a “moment of stupidity”.
He added: “In February this year, he was supporting his pregnant girlfriend. She was about to give birth.
“The irony is that he was gambling the cash in the hope that he would win some money, so that he could return what he had taken and still provide for his family.
“He recognises this was entirely an act of stupidity.”
Mr McAllister said that, since the incident, Toner had repaid all the money he had embezzled and paid back an extra £50.
He said he is now looking after his child through the day and is working during the evenings.
The court heard he had since managed to save some money in order to support his family.
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin fined Toner, of 1 New Park Place, Aberdeen, £200.
