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E-bay sales were stolen council goods    29/10/10

A former Western Isles Council storeman has been sentenced for stealing council stocks.

The case follows a police probe into claims that brand new work and safety clothing were being sold on the internet auction site, E-bay.

At Stornoway Sheriff Court today, Paul William Blake was sentenced to two years probation.

He must also undertake 180 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He avoided a jail sentence because he had repaid the whole value of what he took from the council.

Blake, of 16A Lemreway, South Lochs  previously pleaded guilty at Stornoway Sheriff Court to taking £9000 of industrial stock from the Maybank depot outside Stornoway which is operated by Western Isles Council.

The 56-year-old, who no longer works for the local authority, accepted he committed the offence between 1st January 2009 and 15th February 2010.

The former storeman was suspended from his council post after an internal audit discovered a significant level of discrepancies in stocks.

It was linked to a range of goods being sold on E-bay from a Lewis-based seller.

Heavy duty steel toe-capped Caterpillar work boots, protective jackets, and small tools were amongst the items listed.

E-bay ceased the auctions after an investigation by Stornoway police.