A MAN who embezzled almost £5,000 from the Dumbarton branch of a national bank went on to join the police, a court has heard.

Cameron Gunn stole the money on three separate dates – in September 2013 and July and December of the following year – while working at the Bank of Scotland branch in the town’s High Street.

Gunn, who is now working as a double-glazing salesman, appeared in court for sentencing on Thursday after pleading guilty to embezzling a total of £4,760 while working as a personal banking adviser at the branch.

Gunn pleaded guilty to the charges at the earliest opportunity in December – but had been made to wait for almost a year for his appearance in court after being formally charged.

His solicitor told Dumbarton Sheriff Court: “Mr Gunn was interviewed by bank officials after he left the bank, and made full admissions.

“There was a police interview on December 18, 2015, after which he was charged and provided an undertaking to appear in court on January 8, 2016.”

That court appearance was then rearranged for the following month – but was then cancelled on the day of the hearing after the Crown failed to reach a decision on whether to prosecute.

Gunn, 29, eventually made his first appearance in the dock on December 6, 2016, when he pleaded guilty to embezzling sums of £1,200 on September 24, 2013; £2,160 on July 21, 2014, and; £1,400 on December 23, 2014.

His solicitor said: “He has had this hanging over him for some considerable time. Notwithstanding his admissions, he made full repayment of all losses to his former employer by January 2016.

“After leaving the bank, he joined the police as a probationary officer. He since resigned that position because he did not expect to continue as a result of this offence, and he has now commenced work for a double-glazing firm on a commission basis.”

At a previous court appearance, sentence on Gunn, of Scott Way in Greenock, had been deferred to allow social workers to prepare a background report on him.

Gunn’s solicitor said the crimes had been committed as a result of financial problems caused by illness in the family home.

He told Sheriff Simon Pender: “The report confirms his shame and embarrassment. He is under no illusion that his behaviour was anything other than outrageous.

“Notwithstanding the gravity of the offence, in view of the combination of factors in mitigation, I would invite you to consider a non-custodial disposal.”

Ordering Gunn to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work by February 2018, Sheriff Pender said: “As has been acknowledged, this is a serious matter that involves a gross breach of trust on your part.

“Your conduct would fully justify a custodial sentence, but given that you have no previous record, that full repayment has been made, that there is full acceptance by you of your responsibility and in view of your early plea, I am prepared to deal with this matter by way of an alternative to custody.

“But if you fail to comply with the order, a custodial sentence is what you can expect.”