A Moray golf club that was swindled out of tens of thousands of pounds by its scheming general manager says it “does not accept” a legal decision to reduce the amount she took by almost £100,000.
Barbara-Anne Rumbles appeared in court last month and denied embezzling £142,209.02 from the accounts of Elgin Golf Club over the course of three years.
However, following legal discussions, that figure was cut substantially to £45,840.77 and Rumbles has now agreed to plead guilty.
The development has prompted Elgin captain Ian Savage to write to all members to say the club disputes the sums involved and that talks will now take place with the Procurator Fiscal.
Sobbing in the dock
Rumbles, who is also known as Bartlett according to court papers, stood sobbing in the dock at Inverness Sheriff Court as the facts of her dishonesty were read out today.
The court was told the 48-year-old transferred huge sums of money from the club’s account into her own using online banking and fake references such as “Grampian” and “HMRC”.
Fiscal depute Pauline Gair said Rumbles initially worked as an administrative manager at the course before being appointed general manager in April 2016 and was responsible for the day-to-day running of the club and the management of its finances.
Just seven months later, the fraud began and Rumbles started secretly transferring club funds – ranging from £764 to £28,814 – into her own bank account.
“Any orders over £3,000 required the prior approval of the captain,” Ms Gair said.
“But ahead of the annual general meeting in 2018, the club was surprised to learn that it had made a significant loss and instructed accountants to carry out an external audit.”
Rumbles admitted embezzling the money between November 23 2016 and October 29 2019.
The court was told that she pocketed £7,801.48 from the club in 2016, £764.40 in 2017, £10,460.06 in 2018 and £26,814.83 in 2019.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank did not hear any mitigation from the defence and instead ordered background reports to be carried out.
Bail was continued of Rumbles, of Balfron Drive in Coatbridge, ahead of her sentencing next month.
Club’s disappointment at reduced figure
Elgin captain Ian Savage said the club wants to be “completely open with their members” and that they will “have to wait and see what develops” in terms of possible compensation or the recouping of any ill-gotten gains.
In an email sent to members after today’s hearing, Mr Savage wrote: “You will likely recall around the time of my email of September 7 2022 that a figure which was alleged to have been embezzled was identified in the local press.
“Our understanding is that there has been an amendment to this figure which the procurator fiscal has accepted.
“We can say that we do not accept the amended figure however, the procurator fiscal requires to consider various factors including standards of proof in accepting a plea.
“As such whilst the plea has been accepted by the procurator fiscal it is accepted on what can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt which is a particularly high standard of proof.
“We intend to engage further with the procurator fiscal’s office on the nature of the plea which was accepted and will update you as and when we can on that, however it is likely that this will take a significant period of time.”
He added that the club appreciated the continued understanding of its members.
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