Embezzler hit restaurant business

Kettle was granted bail at Selkirk Sheriff Court

An accounts assistant has admitted embezzling £120,000 from three businesses in the Scottish Borders.

Brian Kettle, 36, of Cooper Drive, Perth, admitted offences dating back to January 2003 when working at Galashiels accountants Hogg and Thorburn.

He embezzled £100,000 from clients Ian and Sheila Robson trading as Marmions restaurant in Melrose.

He also got £10,000 each from two other local firms. Sentence was deferred for reports at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

The court heard most of the money had come from the restaurant business over a four-and-a-half year period.

Kettle also admitted two other offences of embezzling £10,000 each from a marquee firm in Gattonside and the Hawick-based Border Bingo Clubs Limited who were also both clients.

Sheriff Valerie Johnston deferred sentence until 14 December for the production of background reports and allowed Kettle's bail order to continue.