A mother-of-three who became addicted to online gambling while nursing her ill father yesterday handed over a £3,000 cheque to repay some of the £9,000 she embezzled from a Highland children’s charity.
Sentence had been deferred six months ago on Deborah Gallagher, 53, of Caledonian Road, Inverness who worked for the Crocus Group at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for 14 years to allow her to make some recompense.
She had admitted the dishonesty offence at Inverness Sheriff Court after faking invoices for children’s trips and events that never took place.
The charity helps youngsters who have lost a parent or close relative, sometimes by organising trips for them.
But Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood wanted proof that the cheque had actually cleared and the charity had got some of their money back.
So he deferred sentence again until November 24 for confirmation of payment.
After her appearance, Group chairman Eric Butlin said: “We received a business cheque this morning before court but it has not cleared yet. I am not surprised that the Sheriff is wary of accepting her word.
“We were all let down very badly by Debbie who had worked for us since 2002. She was a trusted member of staff and we are very disappointed by what she did.”
Defence lawyer Marc Dickson told the court in April: “At the time, her father suffered ill health and she nursed him. As a coping mechanism, she developed an addiction to online gambling. She realises her behaviour was reprehensible and that she betrayed a position of trust.. She bitterly regrets that and wants to pay back the money.”
