A kitchen assistant has been found guilty of embezzling money from a Glasgow school.

Stephen Gaughon, of Station Court in Addiewell, West Lothian, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to pocketing £8,000 between March 21 and June 26, 2007.

The worker was found to be part of a ‘rebate’ scheme at the Glasgow Academy on Colebrooke Street.

Gaughon and the catering manager set up the scheme without management knowing and stole the funds.

His defence lawyer said his client has been ‘naive’ and repaid the money back when his crimes came to light.

It was added that the accused had recognised that his actions had resulted in his employer losing out.

Sheriff Bonner described the case as ‘unusual’ due to the fact there was a number of conflicting facts.

He added: “We must not get away from the facts, £8,000 was had by you which was due to a school, so it is a serious matter and one that the court could send you to jail for.”

The sentencing sheriff concluded that there was an alternative to custody and ordered Gaughon to undergo 180 hours of unpaid work within a period of 12 months.