AN Inverness property centre accounts manager who embezzled £17,000 from his employers and conjured up another scheme to defraud the business of a further £6,540, has been given a chance to repay the money.
Kerr Gilchrist (52), of Bruce Gardens, was appearing for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court having previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
He admitted that between January 1, 2005 and March 31, 2007, at Scottish Highland Property Services, Queensgate, Inverness, while employed as an accounts manager he embezzled £17,053.92.
He further admitted, between the same dates, forming a fradulent scheme to enable friends and family members to obtain accommodation at no cost to themselves by making false entries in the computer accounting records to show that sums of £6,540 had been received for rent for properties and tenancies managed by SHPS, thereby benefitting friends and family to the extent of that sum by fraud.
But when Gilchrist appeared before Sheriff Ian Abercrombie, solicitor Ian Innes told him that Gilchrist’s family had rallied round him and were prepared to pay off the money at a rate of £2,000 per month.
Mr Innes told the sheriff: "It had been previously arranged with Mr Gilchrist’s family that once the amount was known it would be repaid.
"The family have agreed to pay the sum of £2,000 per month and effectively in one year’s time the money will be paid off. I would ask that sentence is deferred for a period of three months to see the money is being paid back."
Sheriff Abercrombie quizzed: "This is not a scheme whereby he is going to get off Scot free?"
Mr Innes replied: "Absolutely not, my lord. What the family have done is effectively loaned Mr Gilchrist the money. Their position is that its imperative for their family’s good name that this money is paid back.
"They are assisting him and he will then have to repay them."
Sheriff Abercrombie told Gilchrist: "This is a serious crime and obviously I have to give real consideration as to whether the firm is fully compensated.
"With some reluctance I am going to defer this matter for a period of six months. At the end of six months I expect the sum of £12,000 to be repaid to Scottish Highland Property Services.
"Obviously, if full recompense is made in as short a time as possible matters will certainly be better for you.
"You must be forewarned that this is a very serious matter indeed, and the courts hands are not tied in any way."
