A mum has admitted embezzling almost £10,000 from a school fund set up to buy play equipment for children.
Nicola Low stole the cash from Mile End primary over the course of more than a year when she was acting as treasurer of its parent teacher association.
She took a total of £9,620, collected as part of a drive to raise money to provide outdoor play facilities for pupils.
Yesterday, the 47-year-old – who is also known as Nicola Hatrick – .appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted carrying out the theft between August 8, 2011 and December 31, 2012.
Low, of 175 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen. was also accused of embezzling hundreds of pounds from the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
It was alleged she had taken £832.26 from the group while acting as its area co-ordinator between June 3 and December 1, 2013.
But fiscal depute Sandy Hutchison told the court that her not guilty plea to this charge had been accepted by the Crown.
Representing Low, solicitor John Hardie said his client had no previous convictions and urged the sheriff to defer sentence to allow background reports to be carried out.
Throughout the course of the academic year members of the school’s PTA organising a series of fundraising events.
The money predominantly goes towards items not normally provided by the city council, to improve the children’s education, leisure and learning.
In the past the cash raised has funded trips and paid for interactive whiteboards, digital equipment, musical instruments and football strips.
Large sums of money were also donated to the project by oil companies in Aberdeen.
It is understood this was the cash embezzled by Low.
Last month the 510-pupil school, which also caters for children with special needs, opened a £50,000 playground which allows able bodied and disabled pupils to play together.
Low refused to comment as she left court yesterday.