A former shop manager who stole from her employer was labelled “a disgrace” yesterday when she finally paid the money back.
Carol Lester, 42, stole £2,300 from WH Smith in Oban’s George Street between 2011 and 2012.
She also stole £1,700 worth of cigarettes during the same period.
Her crime came to light as a result of an internal investigation.
Lester, of Longsdale Terrace, Oban, who pleaded guilty to the thefts, was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work in the community.
She was also ordered, in 2014, to repay WH Smith £4,000.
At Oban Sheriff Court yesterday she appeared before Sheriff Ruth Anderson after previously falling behind with repayments.
Solicitor Laura McManus said: “Your ladyship required that Ms Lester settled the balance in full before this calling. I am pleased to say that she has made full payment.”
Sheriff Ruth Anderson QC said: “At four minutes to nine this morning.”
Mrs McManus said that Lester had been trying to make the payment online last week but was unable to do so.
The Sheriff said: “I don’t accept that. This is just another example of her complete disregard for the authority and importance of this court.
“As I said to her before, if I had been dealing with this case it would have been jail. Anyway, she has paid today, but there is no appreciation for that because she is a disgrace.
“Not only is she a thief, she hasn’t done anything to expedite matters.”
Lester was originally accused of embezzling £6,300 from the shop, but later pleaded guilty to the lesser amount.
Her case had to be put off on several occasions because she had not made contact with her solicitor, before she finally represented herself, making no plea in mitigation.
The reason given in court for failing to engage with her solicitor about the charges was her “anxiety”.
At the time of sentencing, Sheriff Douglas Small told her: “I am going to make you the subject of a community payback order. You will carry out 250 hours of unpaid work in the community and repay the sum of £4,000 to WH Smith. The term of the community payback order will be 36 months. If you don’t keep up the payments you will come back to court. If that happens I will have to consider sending you to Cornton Vale.”
