Fraud chairman avoids jail term

Bark was sentenced to 250 hours community service

A former football chairman who tried to defraud his club of £1,000 has been given 250 hours community service.

James Bark, 59, admitted the offence in third division Stranraer Football Club's anniversary draw in 2006.

Sheriff Kenneth Hogg told him he had let the community down "spectacularly" and his offence could have merited a jail term.

Bark was given community service but warned that failure to complete it would result in a prison sentence.

Breach of trust

The first offender, of Greenfield Row, Stranraer, had previously admitted forming a fraudulent scheme to try to obtain money from the lottery draw.

Not guilty pleas to five other charges of embezzlement were accepted by the Crown at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court.

Arnold Brazenall, representing Bark, said Bark genuinely regretted the trouble he had caused the club.

He said he realised the seriousness of the breach of trust although no money had been obtained.

"It is the community you has so spectacularly let down," said Sheriff Hogg.

"A breach of trust is something you have already regretted and will continue to do so."