A secretary who embezzled thousands of pounds from an Aberdeen building firm will have to wait until later this month to learn her fate.

Jacqueline Singer embezzled almost £39,500 while she was working for Builders and Joiners Ltd, based in Bucksburn, the Press and Journal has reported.

The 49-year-old appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday after admitting the offence at a previous hearing.

Singer took the money over a period of 16 months beginning in February 2013.

She had been due to be sentenced yesterday but Sheriff Graham Buchanan, who had dealt with the case previously, was absent due to illness.

Sheriff Annella Cowan, who was presiding instead, decided to defer sentencing until Sheriff Buchanan had returned from his absence.

Singer, who has no previous convictions, will now return to court to be sentenced on August 28.