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Council Manager Sentenced for Stealing Laptops Earmarked for Vulnerable People
Jurors heard that 301 iPads and 129 Chromebooks were unaccounted for after Smith logged the rollout for service users.
- A Glasgow Sheriff Court jury convicted Bobby Lee Smith of embezzling 301 iPads and 129 Chromebooks worth £124,644.96 from the GHSCP, where he held a managerial position.
- During the Covid-19 pandemic, Smith oversaw the Connecting Scotland Project to support digitally isolated people. He manipulated spreadsheet records and diverted equipment to his home and his parents' property in Cathcart.
- NHS Counter Fraud officers identified discrepancies at 18 of 22 organisations including Parenting Services and Child Services. Prosecutor Ryan Watson told jurors that 119 devices were never recovered.
- Sheriff Shona Gilroy sentenced Smith to 300 hours of unpaid work and a nine-month restriction of liberty order on Tuesday. She noted "the passage of time has been very significant" in stepping back from custody.
- Procurator Fiscal Fraser Gibson described Smith's actions as an "egregious betrayal of trust," noting he exploited his position to steal equipment meant for vulnerable people. Smith's direct line manager resigned following the investigation.
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 44%
C 56%
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