A gambling addict who embezzled £6,000 from a north-east hotel has been ordered to repay the money and be placed under supervision.
Staff at the Hilton Treetops Hotel on Springfield Road became concerned after it emerged through the banking department that there was a hole in the books.
Following an audit investigation it emerged Vancelot Varden, who was in charge of counting the money as part of his role on the night shift, had been pocketing it.
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When a deputy manager approached the 30-year-old, he admitted taking it because of a gambling addiction.
He admitted embezzlement over a 20 day period beginning on June 5, 2016 during an earlier appearance in Aberdeen Sheriff Court where he returned yesterday to be sentenced.
Representing him, defence lawyer Iain McGregor said his client had obtained funds and was in a position to make repayments.
He added: “The plea was tendered at the earliest opportunity.”
Imposing a sentence, Sheriff Ian Wallace ordered Varden, of Newport Road in Cardiff, to make a compensation order of £6,000, carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, and placed him under supervision for nine months.
He said the supervision was intended “to address problems with gambling.”