A Kingussie bank teller was given three months to repay almost £8,000 she admitted embezzling from her employers.
A confiscation order against 35-year-old Kerry Anne Macdonald is also being sought under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover the cash.
But defence solicitor Shahid Latif told Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday that his client was making efforts to repay the money to the Bank of Scotland.
He asked Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood to defer sentence for a period to allow this to be done.
The Sheriff agreed, providing that Macdonald of Dunbarry Terrace, had a “realistic chance of making restitution rather than a fingers crossed effort.
“If she does then that will go a long way to mitigating the sentence of the court.” The Sheriff added.
At an earlier hearing, Macdonald admitted a charge of embezzling £7,950 from her bank while working as a teller between October 26, 2012 and October 29, 2012. She also admitted failing to appear for a court hearing.
Fiscal Roderick Urqhart told the court yesterday: “Kerry Anne Macdonald was employed as a bank teller with the Bank of Scotland at High Street, Kingussie for about five years.
“This embezzlement came to light following a complaint from a customer about a shortfall in an account. As a result a detailed analysis of the branch accounts was carried out and it transpired that during the period, Macdonald had withdrawn money from customers’ accounts without authority and paid it into her own account.
“As a consequence, she was suspended by the Bank and the embezzlement reported to the police.The loss was borne by the Bank and not by any customer.” Mr Urquhart went on.
Mr Latif added: “It was an act of desperation at a desperate time in her life. She is aware she has brought shame on herself and her family and is attempting to make amends and attempts to pay the money back. She has some assets.”
He added that more would be said in explanation when she re-appears on January 17.
