Shop embezzlement

An islander embezzled nearly £20,000 from a village shop venture.

Elaine Newton took nearly £11,524 while working as the manager of the Uig Community Shop in Lewis.

The 63-year-old of 5 Reef, Uig, Lewis, took the money over a six month period between February and August in 2014.

The previous year, she swindled £8,000 from the Uig Development Trust, which established and runs the locally owned community co-operative store. She was administrator of the organisation at the time.

Newton pleaded guilty to both charges when she appeared at Stornoway Sheriff Court.

Originally, she was accused of taking £950 more from the shop but the final figure has been reduced.

Sheriff David Sutherland called for background reports and deferred sentence until November.

Procurator fiscal Karen Smith told the court she intends seeking a confiscation order under the proceeds of crime legislation to seize the “monies obtained by Ms Newton.”

Nearly £20,000 embezzled from community shop

9 October 2015