Charity director admits embezzling £54k from group's hardship fund

70-year-old took cash set aside for struggling families

- EMYLIE HOWIE

A charity director has admitted embezzling over £54,000 from an East Renfrewshire organisation's hardship fund.

Catherine Bell swiped the cash from Jewish Care Scotland between October 1, 2013 and October 25, 2018.

The charity, which is based in Giffnock's Walton Centre, has a fund which provides money to members of the Jewish community who are experiencing financial hardship.

In Bell's role as a director, she had to authorise these payments.

The opportunistic 70-year-old set up weekly and one-off payments for four families - who she referred to as "the usual four" - and they received grants of between £35 and £70 per week.

But the families were never given the cash and, instead, Bell pocketed it.

Procurator fiscal depute Jason Stark told Paisley Sheriff Court that Jewish Care Scotland is a non-profit organisation that has been supporting members of the Jewish community since 1858.

Bell was employed in various positions with her final role being the director of social care for the organisation.