Co-op employee embezzled hundreds from store to fund drink habit

A Co-op employee who took nearly £800 from the tills at his work to fund his alcohol habit has been given 120 hours of unpaid work.

John Masterman, of Mossbank, previously admitted embezzling £799.83 while he was working at the Brae Co-op on or between July 8 and July 31.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie previously told Lerwick Sheriff Court that the 35-year-old would regularly “void transactions”.

The matter came to light when the number of void transactions were noted by staff. He was challenged about it and admitted taking the money.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client was “unable to stop himself” after he first dipped into the tills to pay for alcohol.

The solicitor said Masterman had accepted his wrongdoing “from day one” and was “deeply ashamed” of his actions.

Allan added that the money taken from the shop was still outstanding.

Sheriff Philip Mann said the offence was a “breach of trust” which he had to “take a serious view of”.