£1M COUNCIL THIEF JAILED FOR 4 YEARS

Worker pocketed refunds for 17 years

- DAVE FINLAY

A CROOKED employee who stole more than £1million from a cashstrapped local authority has been jailed for four years.

Michael Paterson exploited his role with Aberdeen City Council to embezzle a total of £1,087,444.47 over 17 years.

Paterson, 59, admitted he embarked on the crime because he had debts of £20,000 but conceded he was still in debt after spending the stolen money on foreign holidays, dining out, buying Apple goods, shopping and his flat.