Architect who embezzled from charity ordered to pay £700,000

Architect Ian Brash, from Wallyford, East Lothian, admitted embezzling £358,832 from the Dr Robert Malcolm Trust between August 2010 and September 2014.

The 68-year-old invested the money in shares, using the profit to make mortgage and credit card payments, pay vet bills, install a wind turbine, and as deposits on cars and a number of buy-to-let properties for him and his family.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court he was made subject to a confiscation order worth £700,000.

Mr Brash has already paid back £320,753 to the charity and will have to pay it a further £198,590 in full recompense, as well as an additional £180,656 to the court which will contribute to the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme.

Mr Brash was also handed an additional £140,000 fine on top of the confiscation order.

Jennifer Harrower, procurator fiscal for specialist casework, said: “Ian Brash was in a position of trust and responsibility with this charity and he took advantage of that to embezzle a significant amount of money. His deception diverted that money away from charity and into his own bank account to help fund his lifestyle.

“We take such criminality seriously and will use all powers available to us, not only to prosecute, but also to confiscate the profits of crime from those who do not deserve them.

“Over half a million pounds of the confiscated money will be paid back to the Dr Robert Malcolm Trust.”