Sally Birnie worked for Edinburgh City Council

A council revenue and benefits boss who embezzled almost £70,000 has been ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service.

Sally Birnie, 42, paid the cash into bogus accounts over five years as a section leader within Edinburgh City Council's finance department.

Birnie, from Balerno, admitted embezzling £67,780 while working at Chesser House in Gorgie Road.

She carried out the offence between 1 September 2003 and 3 November 2008.

At an earlier hearing, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, fiscal depute Gerard Drugan said Birnie was caught when a revenue and benefits officer spotted an irregularity in a claim for benefits for a woman in a hostel.

Serious debt

He said: "There appeared to be no supporting documentation for this claim and the benefits from that claim were debited to a bank account, which was not a normal procedure for those claiming from a hostel, usually it is to the accommodation provider."

During a disciplinary hearing Birnie admitted what she had done and was dismissed from her position.

When interviewed by police Birnie said she had found herself in serious debt including loans for a sister who passed away and credit card bills.

Defence agent Kenneth Sinclair said: "She does not seem to have any significant financial benefit from these activities.

"She felt responsible for her deceased sister's debts and she has had tragedies in her family and is the carer for her elderly parents who have serious health problems."

Sheriff Kathrine Mackie told Birnie it was a serious matter for the reasons highlighted by Mr Sinclair and a custodial sentence would be appropriate.

But she also said she had considered the reasons for the crime and felt in the circumstances there was the alternative of community service.