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A Tory MSP’s taxpayer-funded assistant is a convicted boat thief and drink-driver.

John McMurtrie landed his job with Maurice Corry despite party officials being aware of his convictions, it was confirmed last night.

The Record can reveal the 28-year-old parliamentary assistant – who works for West Scotland MSP Corry at Holyrood and in his constituency – was done for stealing five sailing dinghies worth more than £12,000 from customers of his former business.

He had earlier been convicted for drink-driving – after crashing his car while over the limit.

The Tories – already reeling from a series of scandals involving racism and bigotry – last night admitted they had put McMurtrie on the payroll despite knowing about his offences.

McMurtrie, of Kilcreggan, Helensburgh, was given a 15-month suspended sentence last January for stealing five dinghies while running a yachting business in Suffolk.

He was also convicted of stealing £2000 from another customer at his yachting firm.

As well as the suspended sentence, he was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

He also had to pay £14,300 compensation to the boat owners.

Passing sentence at Ipswich Crown Court, the judge told McMurtrie that he was “more of a fool than a criminal”.

The judge added: “In my assessment you are not one of nature’s con men. If I thought you were, you would be going straight to prison.”

When the Daily Record confronted McMurtrie over his convictions last night, he said the business had spiralled out of control and he only admitted to the crime to avoid the threat of jail.

He added that he is appealing against the theft convictions.

(Image: Daily Record)

He said: “The legal process only took into consideration the accusation of theft, not the fact that these individuals had large outstanding debts with the company.

“However, I was told that this was not a defence and … if I didn’t change my plea to guilty I would be sent to jail and incur an additional five figure sum in fees and penalties.

“It was on this basis I chose to plead guilty. The judge worked on the information allowed to him, but the legal system doesn’t take into consideration the truth.

“I’ve been on sucide watch by the doctor and police have checked up on me, along with undergoing counselling to allow me to continue with my life.

“I have never cared through this case about the money,

“I was trying to be honest and ensure every customer got a truthful and factual outcome. Shamefully, the justice system has never allowed such an outcome.

“I will continue to try to appeal this outcome.”

The Scottish Conservatives defended McMurtrie’s appointment and said they had been made aware of his convictions before they gave him the taxpayer-funded role.

Corry took advice from parliamentary staff before giving him the job, but Tory leader Ruth Davidson was not made aware.

Corry was also told that McMurtrie had a drink-driving conviction from 2013. He was given a community payback order at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, banned for three years and told to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

McMurtrie admitted driving his car on the A814 towards Garelochhead while over the drink limit. He crashed his car into a wall.

A Tory spokesman said: “John has been completely upfront about these issues, both with the party and the Parliament.

“One is subject to an extensive appeal and, as such, we are unable to comment further.”

An SNP spokesman said: “This really does compound a miserable week for Ruth Davidson’s Tories – one where the mask has slipped and the deeply unsavoury elements at the heart of her party have been revealed.

“First, she made it clear that racists and bigots were welcome in her party.

“Now, it seems that her MSPs are happy to appoint convicted thieves and drunk drivers to their staff, at the taxpayers’ expense.”